Desert Island Discs Maggie Alphonsi, broadcaster and former rugby player
Sep 14, 2025
Maggie Alphonsi, a celebrated rugby player and broadcaster, reflects on her transformative journey in the sport. She discusses how her childhood and a supportive PE teacher ignited her passion for rugby. Maggie shares her triumphs, including winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup and becoming the first female commentator in men’s rugby. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and ambition in women's rugby, all while drawing inspiration from significant songs that shaped her life and identity.
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Hunger Through The 'Number Two' Mindset
- Framing yourself as 'number two' keeps you hungry and striving for improvement.
- Maggie Alphonsi uses this mindset to avoid complacency and maintain drive throughout her career.
Leverage Big Events To Drive Participation
- Promote events and visibility to grow participation and change perceptions about women's sport.
- Maggie explicitly hopes the home World Cup will inspire more people to take up rugby and shift public views.
Women's Rugby Has Transformed Attendance
- Interest and attendance in women's rugby have grown dramatically since Maggie's playing days.
- She expects the Women's Rugby World Cup at home to change perceptions and inspire participation.
