Jodie Ounsley, ex-rugby pro and current Gladiators sensation as Fury, is adamant a Rugby World Cup triumph for the Red Roses would catapult women’s rugby into a new era in the UK. With a game against Samoa on the horizon and a resounding 69-7 opening victory over the USA under their belts, the stakes are high. Ounsley, the trailblazing first deaf female to don England colors at the elite level, is now using her platform to rally for the women's game.
Ounsley reflects on the transformative power of a World Cup win, not just for the players but for the sport's profile across the nation. "Winning on home soil could be a game-changer, much like the Lionesses have revolutionized women's football with their repeated European successes," she states.
"It would be incredible to see the Red Roses win the tournament in a home World Cup – it could potentially be life-changing for the players and their profiles."
The impact, according to Ounsley, would ripple beyond England, inspiring children across Wales and Scotland to lace up their boots. The visibility of the players, their engagement during the tournament, and their burgeoning profiles are already encouraging a new generation to embrace rugby.
As a prominent face in Vodafone's 'See it. Believe it.' campaign, Ounsley is dedicated to challenging the misconceptions surrounding women’s rugby and broadening its appeal. Her journey from a groundbreaking athlete to a television star on Gladiators has been marked by humility and a commitment to advocacy.
Her personal transformation through rugby has shaped her into a more confident, team-oriented individual, capable of empathy and leadership. "Rugby has taught me discipline, motivation, and more. It's more than just a game," asserts Ounsley.
The buzz around the World Cup is palpable, with fans, especially young girls, turning up in droves, drawn both by the sport and its stars. Ounsley's crossover appeal from Gladiators to rugby illustrates the sport's growing traction and her significant role in it.
Highlighting the influence of personalities like USA’s Ilona Maher, who is considering a move to professional wrestling, Ounsley celebrates the visibility they bring to women's rugby. Maher's ventures into mainstream shows like Dancing with the Stars have attracted new audiences to the sport, demonstrating the power of personality in the growth of women’s rugby.
With the World Cup poised to push women's rugby into the limelight, the synergy between high-profile players, engaging storytelling, and media exposure through platforms like Vodafone's campaign is setting the stage for a transformative era in the sport.
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Jodie Ounsley, ex-rugby pro and current Gladiators sensation as Fury, is adamant a Rugby World Cup triumph for the Red Roses would catapult women’s rugby into a new era in the UK. With a game against Samoa on the horizon and a resounding 69-7 opening victory over the USA under their belts, the stakes are high. Ounsley, the trailblazing first deaf female to don England colors at the elite level, is now using her platform to rally for the women's game.
Ounsley reflects on the transformative power of a World Cup win, not just for the players but for the sport's profile across the nation. "Winning on home soil could be a game-changer, much like the Lionesses have revolutionized women's football with their repeated European successes," she states.
"It would be incredible to see the Red Roses win the tournament in a home World Cup – it could potentially be life-changing for the players and their profiles."
The impact, according to Ounsley, would ripple beyond England, inspiring children across Wales and Scotland to lace up their boots. The visibility of the players, their engagement during the tournament, and their burgeoning profiles are already encouraging a new generation to embrace rugby.
As a prominent face in Vodafone's 'See it. Believe it.' campaign, Ounsley is dedicated to challenging the misconceptions surrounding women’s rugby and broadening its appeal. Her journey from a groundbreaking athlete to a television star on Gladiators has been marked by humility and a commitment to advocacy.
Her personal transformation through rugby has shaped her into a more confident, team-oriented individual, capable of empathy and leadership. "Rugby has taught me discipline, motivation, and more. It's more than just a game," asserts Ounsley.
The buzz around the World Cup is palpable, with fans, especially young girls, turning up in droves, drawn both by the sport and its stars. Ounsley's crossover appeal from Gladiators to rugby illustrates the sport's growing traction and her significant role in it.
Highlighting the influence of personalities like USA’s Ilona Maher, who is considering a move to professional wrestling, Ounsley celebrates the visibility they bring to women's rugby. Maher's ventures into mainstream shows like Dancing with the Stars have attracted new audiences to the sport, demonstrating the power of personality in the growth of women’s rugby.
With the World Cup poised to push women's rugby into the limelight, the synergy between high-profile players, engaging storytelling, and media exposure through platforms like Vodafone's campaign is setting the stage for a transformative era in the sport.