Yesterday I was asked to write a piece denouncing another article published on Sunday about one woman’s experience of a women’s rugby training session.
I decided against it, not wanting to get into a tit-for-tat exchange of words and views – with me not being a journalist and the article’s author not having played for her country.
But what I can offer is a glimpse into the very real and positive impact the sport can have on the lives of both players and fans alike.
On Tuesday night last I stood in the stadium in Marcoussis with tears in my eyes and pride in my heart as my two girls aged eight and five belted out Ireland’s Call with arms around each other, before the Irish Women took on the might of The Black Ferns.
It was 20 years since I played in my first world cup and ten since I played my last match but the emotions were the same as always, the same as every time I played for my country or watched my husband play.
I knew the pain and suffering that had gone into the preparation for the match that was about to enfold. I knew the belief that was inside those 22 girls, the four not lucky enough to make the match day 22 and the stellar management team that gets them ready.
People will always have and be entitled to their opinion, however sensationalism for the sake of it is to be frowned upon even if it in itself is highlighting the sport I love.
Things have progressed a pace since my retirement and things are definitely better off and on the pitch. However for each individual involved – be it player or management – the level of commitment required has, if anything, increased.
The amount of time training, analysing, training, working, training has doubled if not tripled and the women’s team are now resourced to the extent that they have a full team behind them. The Irish Rugby Football Union is gaining the rewards now for their commitment to their women’s team and long may that commitment continue and evolve.
The success of this current crop of players has increased the spotlight on the women’s game and women’s sport in general, which is a fantastic by-product.
People will always have and be entitled to their opinion, however sensationalism for the sake of it is to be frowned upon even if it in itself is highlighting the sport I love.
Girls can play sport too – they can be tough and fearless sports women on the field and fantastic ladies off it
I am here in France to support Ireland’s women’s rugby team. I played with some and against others; I coached some and plotted against others.
Out here there is a common cause and a common purpose, to now beat England and take our country on to the next level. I have brought my two girls along for two reasons; to spend quality time with them (I work full-time) and to instill in them that girls can play sport too – they can be tough and fearless sports women on the field and fantastic ladies off it.
Already I have achieved the second. They both jumped with joy at the final whistle – they saw the many bruises covering Paula Fitzpatrick’s legs as she explained that it was all ok (there is drama with my eight-year-old Róisín over the slightest mark); while Maz O’Reilly explained how good it was to be tall (my five-year-old Sally is “taller than everyone in her class”).
My girls may never play sport to any huge degree. They might grow up to be the princesses they dream of but today in the back of the car they pretended to be Fiona Coughlan and Niamh Briggs going to training as I, Gemma Crowley, drove them.
Fiona Steed is a wife, mother, chartered physiotherapist, part-time rugby commentator, sometime rugby coach and ex-rugby international.
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