Giving back to Gary
In 2014 a team developed by head coach Gary Street lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy.
Donate to Gary's GoFundMe
The victory came two decades after England’s Red Roses had last won the tournament and four years beyond an agonising 13-10 final loss to New Zealand at the Twickenham Stoop.
Gary became head coach in 2007, after working alongside his predecessor, Geoff Richards the previous season. He always saw the importance of raising the profile of women’s rugby union and certainly achieved that when his squad beat Canada in Paris to be crowned world champions.
Having been desperately disappointed at missing out on the title four years earlier, Gary said his players “wanted to get back to another final to win it next time. It’s what has driven us to get where we are. It has been four years of hard work to get here.”
Much of that hard work was Gary’s and he also had to cope with his father suffering a heart attack on the eve of the tournament, which made him even more determined to bring home the trophy.
The final, played in front of 20,000 was broadcast to 137 countries worldwide, heralding the growth to come.
Heart bypass led to massive stroke
Last August, Gary underwent a planned heart bypass operation. Unfortunately, complications led to a blood clot on his brain and he suffered a massive stroke. The following four weeks in intensive care revealed extensive damage affecting speech, breathing, and movement. Paralyzed on his right side with impaired vocal cords, Gary faced additional challenges, including a lung infection, an emergency tracheotomy and sepsis.
Despite a grim prognosis, Gary, known for his courage and determination, fought back. Over five months in four different hospitals, he relearned swallowing, regained mobility in paralyzed limbs, developed core strength, and began walking short distances. As his condition improved, his humour and mischievous personality resurfaced.
Now with discharge under consideration, Gary will need ongoing therapy and support. His vocal cords remain paralyzed, limiting his airway and complicating breathing during movement. Nerve damage in his left arm and hand adds pain and mobility challenges. Despite progress, Gary grapples with communication limitations. Yet, he's found a unique way to express himself, entertaining others with expressive eyebrows.
The future is uncertain. While he surpassed doctors' expectations, the chance of full recovery remains unknown. Daily intensive therapy includes speech, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. On discharge, he faces a two-year wait for speech therapy and a four-month wait for physiotherapy. That’s why the rugby family needs to rally round to fund these services immediately he leaves hospital, so that Gary's relentless fight for recovery can continue.
To help raise funds to aid Gary's recovery, the Street's Ahead Silent Auction has a range of rugby and non-rugby related lots. Funds raised will contribute towards ensuring Gary can become as independent as possible with any further equipment needed and home adjustments as necessary.
There for everyone
Many have benefitted from his nurturing of their rugby and their development on and off the pitch.
Under Gary, England’s women won five back-to-back Six Nations, four Nations Cups, and four European Cups before their 21-9 triumph against Canada in 2014 when he became the high performance coach of the year. He was awarded Pride of Sport coach of the year and nominated in BBC Sports Personality of the Year as coach of the year, when his team were awarded team of the year.
Red Roses Captain Marlie Packer said: “Streety means so much to so many of us and for me personally he’s been a massive influence in my rugby career on and off the pitch. He gave me my first ever senior England cap against Sweden in 2008 and supported my decision to develop skills off the pitch before reintroducing me to the squad in 2012.
"He really cares about the game, the people in it, and has given players so much over so many years. Now it’s time to give back to an amazing coach and mentor and a really lovely guy.”
Katy Daley-Mclean England captain of the 2014 World Cup winning team, said: “Gary was massive in my rugby career and looked after all of us. It’s so hard to see him and the family going through such a hard time because he is the heartbeat of any team or family.
"I know everyone out there who has worked with him will want to help. Not only was he our World Cup winning coach but he’s also an all-round great bloke, warm hearted and a real people person.”
Sarah Hunter, England’s most capped player, said: “Words can’t explain the impact Gary has had. His love for the game to help support and develop players and teams is incredible. He has touched so many people’s lives in such a positive way through the power of rugby (and a joke or two!). His skill to understand you on a personal level, to care for you and look after you, is his super strength.
"He has this incredible ability to get the best out of people and I will be eternally grateful for everything he has done for me on and off the pitch. It’s now our turn as the rugby family to support and care for Gary as he has done for so many of us over the years.”
Maggie Alphonsi, World Cup winning flanker and rugby commentator said: “Gary has always been more than a coach to me. He’s a friend and someone who has always been there for me during challenging times in my life. He was there for me when I got dropped from the senior England squad at the age of 19. I thought my world had ended. He gave me a second chance and selected me for his England Academy team. He had faith in me and that helped restore my confidence. Next season I was re-selected back into the senior squad. and I owe it to him.
He was also there for me when my half brother passed away and I needed a shoulder to lean on. He’s always been someone you could talk to and willing to listen. He was there for me during tough times and I and the rugby family will be there for him, Helen and the kids during this tough time.”
He was head coach of Oxford University women’s team for the first ever women’s Varsity Match at Twickenham Stadium in December 2016 reclaiming the title in a tightest of contests, having lost their last encounter with Cambridge by 52 points. He also led Cambridge women to victory in 2001 and is the only coach to have claimed the trophy for both universities.
In 2016/2017, Gary was joint head coach with Karen Findlay for Aylesford Bulls Ladies who, in their first season, completed the Premiership and Cup double before playing under the Harlequins banner. Part of his role at Quins was Academy Coach Development Officer working with coaches in the developing player programme.
It wasn’t just high performance coaching that Gary was passionate about, people would call him up and he’d be there, for a grassroots team, a mixed ability squad or to promote a charity. He inspired young players, set up the first women’s U19s tour to Canada and helped youngsters visualise success. “Look for the green” was his way of telling them to look for a space.
They could see the green of the pitch and now everyone wants Gary to see it again as he rebuilds his life.
Visit Street's Ahead Silent Auction
