Inspirational eight in groundbreaking elite women's coaching programme
England Rugby has recently launched Elev8, a groundbreaking performance leadership programme for elite female coaches, with eight standout coaches in the programme’s first year.
Jointly funded by UK Sport through the 2025 Rugby World Cup Legacy Grant and in partnership with Premiership Women’s Rugby, the initiative aims to accelerate the development of top-tier female coaches and leaders to help shape the future of the women’s game.
A significant milestone in England Rugby's ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive coaching landscape, Elev8 brings a year-long programme to enhance the leadership, management, and coaching skills of those involved so that they can excel at the highest levels of rugby.
The initial group are all impressive and inspirational coaches and includes GB Sevens Head Coach, Giselle Mather; England Rugby National Programmes Coach Developer, Tamara Taylor; Harlequins Men’s Pathway Coach, Amy Turner; Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach, Susie Appleby; Trailfinders Women, Athlete Mentor and Skills Coach, Kim Oliver; Sale Sharks Women’s Backs and U23 Performance Coach, Louise Dalgleish; Bath RFC Women’s Performance Lead, Maria Crowfoot, and Sale Sharks Women’s Head Coach, Rachel Taylor.
The eight coaches will work closely with expert facilitators from the sporting and business worlds, gaining unique insights into leadership, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
Built on the findings of a 2021 research project into the core attributes of successful coaches, the Elev8 curriculum focuses on tailored workshops; executive coaching and mentorship; in-depth feedback and observation and personalised development support.
Said Hannah Aldridge, England Rugby’s Professional Coach Performance Programme Manager “Elev8 is a game-changer for women’s rugby providing the tools, resources, and support to ensure female coaches thrive and lead at the highest levels of the game. We’re excited to see these women push the boundaries of what’s possible for the future of rugby.”
The delivery team includes prominent figures such as Nigel Redman, Suzanne Pollack, Emma Greggains, Seb Sherwood and Michael Ashford, bringing together a wealth of experience in high-performance environments to guide and mentor the group.
Said Nigel Redman, England Rugby’s Director of Team Performance: “We are committed to fostering excellence in women’s rugby and ensuring that our female coaches have the same opportunities for growth and development as their male counterparts.”
Part of England Rugby’s mission to build a winning and inclusive environment, Elev8 is the first of many initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in coaching. By helping the next generation of female coaching leaders to excel, the aim is to help create a pipeline of female coaches to lead the women’s game and ensure that the legacy of the 2025 Rugby World Cup is felt across all levels of the sport.
