We had the pleasure of sitting down with Red Roses England Rugby player, Emma Sing, to ask her about her rugby career and young women in sport. Our Condate Biogas plant sponsored Emma in her recent debut for England.

Susie Emerton (SE):

Do you remember why you first decided to give rugby a try?

Emma Sing (ES):

I think I was six or seven years old and my mum wanted to get my brother into something; a sport or an extracurricular activity. So, she took me along to the session as well and it’s just stuck since then.  I played for South Molton until I was under 13s but they didn’t have a girls’ team so I decided to go across to Bideford.

As soon as I got into girls’ rugby, I went straight into the Devon team. The first year I was under 13s and I got dispensation to play under 15s; I was tiny amongst everyone else. I went to play for Crediton then because they had a larger number of girls and I played for them for three or four years. Then, when I was 16, I went to Hartpury College and that’s led me up here to Gloucester-Hartpury now.

SE:

So, you’re back at university now. Are you in your final year?

ES:

I’m currently in my third year, but I’ve gone part time. Because of being in the England camp, I couldn’t really handle the work load. So, I’m doing half of my third year this year and half next year.

SE:

What is it like for you to be a young woman in rugby?

ES:

When I was a lot younger and playing for South Molton, I was obviously the only girl on the team, so they would target me for being a girl. But then I’d actually get the ball or tackle someone and they’d shout, “don’t run at the girl”.

Now, in women’s rugby, we get a small match fee, but you couldn’t live on it, you have to work as well. I think it’s going to get better. For example, for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, England are the preferred candidate. Hopefully there will be more England matches here and that support of women’s rugby will increase – Wales have just given professional contracts out for their team so I think it will start getting better for women’s rugby.

SE:

What is it about rugby that you enjoy so much?

ES:

The team and the cohesion. You turn up to train with them and you are friends with everyone; you have great banter; the coaches are lovely – my coach is like my second father. When I had to make the decision about going part time at university, he said he’d support me no matter what I chose. It’s just really nice.

SE:

What would you say to young women who are looking to get involved in sport but feel intimidated?

ES:

I would say, just reach out, just turn up to a training session and go from there. There’s lots of taster sessions available for under 13s, under 15s, under 18s; just go along. Have a talk to the coach and I’m sure they’ll take you with open arms. It will take a little while to get to know everyone, but I think once you know everyone you will just enjoy it.

SE:

And how does it feel to have sponsorship from the local community via Condate Biogas?

ES:

It’s really great to be sponsored by Condate. When we found out about me making the England team I said; “can we try and find someone local to sponsor me because I’ve grown up playing rugby locally”. It seems a bit wrong to find sponsorship from Gloucester; it’s quite nice to have the support of my local community. It’s also nice that it’s a company that my parents work with.

SE:

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

ES:

I think the thing about sponsorships is that it’s a lot harder to get someone to sponsor you as a woman. For the men, the Gloucester players, they put out that they were looking for sponsorships and people were snapping at the opportunity because they’re playing the men’s premiership. But we play the equivalent in the Women’s League it’s just a bit harder. I know there are Welsh girls who have to travel two and a half hours to train every day – there and back every Tuesday, Thursday and Monday and then on Saturday – so it’s a lot for them. And when I was at home, I travelled up 1 hour 45 mins each way. We have increased funding this year which is good and I’m sure it’s only going to get better. It is getting better for women in rugby.