Maggie Alphonsi, MBE

Rugby World Cup Winner, Sports Broadcaster, Public Speaker, Event Host, Author.

Maggie Alphonsi is the face of international women’s rugby and arguably one of the most well-known names in women’s team sports on the planet.

Before announcing her international retirement in 2014, she represented her country an impressive 74 times, scored 28 tries, and helped England win a record breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns. She was also an integral member of the team that won the 2014 Rugby World Cup for the first time in 20 years and was part of the team that won the BBC’s Sports Personality Team of the Year award.

Through her England rugby career, she has become a household name but also a media professional, and since retiring she has commentated on live rugby matches for SKY Sports, BT Sport and the BBC. In 2015 she became the first ever former female player to commentate on men’s international rugby when she was signed up by ITV for the Rugby World Cup, and she continues to work with ITV Sport across their rugby coverage.

Maggie is also the first ever former female player to become a columnist for a national newspaper, The Telegraph.

In 2016, Maggie made history by becoming the first England Women’s player to be elected as a National Member of the Rugby Football Union’s Council. She is one of just four females on the 56-strong Council and her role is to be a person of experience and influence in the Game, which includes a leading role in the Diversity & Inclusion steering Group.

Maggie is also an excellent event host and speaker and is well qualified to share her experiences. Certainly, when she shares those experiences, you don’t need to be a rugby, or even a sports fan, to be interested or inspired by how she has become a prominent figure in the challenging world of a male dominated sport. Her story is also incapsulated in her enthralling autobiography ‘Winning the Fight’ which was released in September 2023.

From South East London, Maggie has taken her education as seriously as her rugby obtaining a MSc in Sports & Exercise at Roehampton University, a BSc in the same subjects at De Montfort University and a BTEC National Diploma in Leisure Studies at Hertford Regional College. Additionally, she has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Bedfordshire

Career Highlights

2024

Member of the ITV and BBC Men’s & Women’s Six Nations broadcast team
‘Winning the Fight’ shortlisted for Sports Autobiography of the Year
Howden Ambassador
2023

Maggie’s autobiography ‘Winning the Fight’ is released
Member of ITV Rugby World Cup 2023 broadcast team
2022

Member of ITV’s Women’s Rugby World Cup broadcast team
2021

Mastercard Ambassador
Member of Sky Sports British & Irish Lions Series broadcast Team
Women’s 6 Nations Ambassador
2020

Vodafone Ambassador
2019

Member of the ITV Rugby World Cup 2019 broadcast team
2018

Land Rover Ambassador
2017

Columnist for the Telegraph
2016

Inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame
First ever former female player to be elected to the Council of the Rugby Football Union
Member of the ITV Six Nations broadcast team
2015

First former female player ever to be part of a broadcast team for a men’s Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup Ambassador
2014

BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year winner
Number One single with Gareth Malone’s All Star Choir (Children in Need)
Rugby World Cup winner
2012

Awarded an MBE for Services to Rugby
Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2011

Six Nations Grand Slam winner
Rugby Union Writers Club Player of the Year. Maggie became the first woman to win this prize in its 50-year history
2010

Sunday Times Sports Woman of the Year
Rugby World Cup runner-up
Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2009

Rugby World Cup Sevens Plate winner
Six Nations winner
2008

Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2007

Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2006

IRB Women’s Rugby Player of the year
Rugby World Cup runner-up
Six Nations Grand Slam winner
2003

England debut

Inspirational Speaker

Maggie’s speaking topics include: leadership, overcoming adversity, understanding pressure, pitch to boardroom, mentoring and coaching performance mind-sets, the psychology of winning, transferring skills, pressure management, working in a male environment and challenging perceptions.

"Maggie spoke at our staff engagement day; to hear her talk about overcoming adversity and aiming for the best in life was incredibly motivational. It was just what we needed to energise us before we embarked on an afternoon of delivering community projects – she is truly inspirational. "

Jo Savage, Chief Executive
Wellingborough Homes
"In total we had over 110+ employees join us for the event and the reception, engagement and outpouring of gratitude for hearing Maggie's story but related this to the business environment, which meant that all attendees were able to relate and take home something from the session. We all left thoroughly inspired! Thank you for your support in setting the session up - it is massively appreciated and we look forward to working with you again in the future!"

Alex, GBS HR Business Account Manager, P&G
“Having heard lots about what a great addition to an event Maggie would be, she did not disappoint - from the moment she arrived, her warm smile and easy manner made her a fantastic guest - she was happy to be interviewed, delivering passionate viewpoints about her personal story in rugby then chatting effortlessly to staff - and then taking part in a very honest way in our panel discussion - finally, joining us for drinks and more chatting after, she was just brilliant and inspiring - as well as incredibly honest which is so refreshing. We really enjoyed having her and everyone commented that she was a fantastic addition to the event."

Philippa Piper, Clifford Chance LLP
“Maggie kindly agreed to speak at the WACL (Women's advertising club of London) 'Gather' event, an annual conference run by our club to inspire and inform young women in the marketing and media community. Maggie gave an exceptionally compelling talk on her life and career, focusing on what drove and motivated her throughout. Not only is she a hugely successful elite sportswoman she also has the rare gift of being able to communicate what it takes to achieve those heights in a thoroughly engaging and accessible way. The feedback from the attendees was exceptional for the event and Maggie's talk resonated with all. "

Frances Ralston-Good, Co-chair Gather
"Maggie was our guest speaker at our inaugural International Women’s Day event and it couldn’t have gone better. She was relatable to both the men & women in the room and her personal stories were both funny and inspiring. We were delighted with how the event went and we are very appreciative that she stayed behind to talk to our Associates."

Louise, Lockton LLP
“Maggie is an incredibly inspirational speaker. Her presentation was topical and acknowledged the important role that teachers, PE and sport plays in lives. She presented with high energy, emotion, empathy and humour and ignited the audience. She was awesome!”

Mike Crichton, Chair, National Association for Physical Education
As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we were delighted to be joined by Maggie Alphonsi MBE. Maggie was incredibly engaging – bringing a sense of humour to the topic whilst still ensuring the important message was delivered. Maggie spoke our Butlin's language, talking authentically about our values and leadership behaviours, with attendees saying, “it felt like Maggie was part of our team”. This made the talk more relatable and helped the key messages land with our team. Maggie’s impact is best summarised by this piece of feedback from one of our attendees: “the talk will stay with me forever - in fact she has impacted my life for sure”

Butlin’s