For years, rugby has been traditionally viewed as a male-dominated sport. In October 2020, Gordon’s School solidified this traditional path by launching its high-performance boys’ rugby scholarship pathway, the Harlequins Partnership Programme, dedicating significant funding toward elite male player development. However, this year, the school officially welcomed its first four female rugby scholars, marking a monumental step forward for gender equality in school sports.
Among this pioneering first cohort is Olivia, who was initially drawn to rugby because she wanted to try a team sport completely different from anything she had played before. After following her brother to training sessions, she quickly fell in love with the game.
Olivia brings nine years of competitive experience to Gordon’s, having developed her skills with Dorking Rugby Club. Her journey reflects the rapid evolution of the women’s game. When she first joined Dorking, there was no girls’ section, forcing her to play mixed touch rugby with the boys. She eventually went on to become part of Dorking’s first-ever girls’ team, competing in the Surrey Cup, the Waterfall Cup, and even playing internationally in Jersey. For Olivia this scholarship is about much more than just her personal athletic development. She views it as a massive opportunity “to inspire younger girls” to pick up a rugby ball and give the fast-growing sport a chance.
Beyond the matches and trophies, she emphasises that the sport offers invaluable life lessons. “Rugby is where I made my lifelong friends and so many memories,” Olivia shared. She notes that the game builds far more than just physical fitness, teaching vital skills like “discipline, communication, and problem-solving under pressure”: qualities that help students succeed in school, friendships, and their future careers.
As these four pioneering athletes lace up their boots this season, Gordon’s School enters a new era of sports excellence: one where the pathway to rugby success is wide open to everyone.
- Maisie, Y12