Maggie Alphonsi is famed for her career as a rugby player, continually making headlines as a former flanker for Saracens and the England rugby team. A prominent player, Maggie helped her team to achieve consecutive wins and solidified her reputation as an expert in the sport. Such an expert reputation has since seen her land roles as a commentator for various sporting channels and media outlets, along with exciting opportunities as a keynote and sports after-dinner speaker. When booked as a speaker, Maggie shares the success of her career and her top tips on how to succeed in elite sport.
Best known for her playing career, Maggie played for Saracens and the England national team, securing 74 caps and 28 tries. Throughout her time as a player, Maggie continually made headlines, inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame and claiming the title of Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year 2010. Maggie also made headlines as the first woman to become a member of the Rugby Football Union’s Council, and now covers rugby headlines as a commentator for ITV Sport.
Highly passionate about sports, Maggie achieved both a BSc and MSc in Sports & Exercise amongst focussing on her talents in rugby. Maggie first started playing for the England team back in 2003, and continually left her mark in the history books. During her time as a player, Maggie achieved many victories such as seven consecutive Six Nations wins and victory at the 2014 Rugby World Cup. She also claimed the Pat Marshall Award from the Rugby Union Writers Club before she decided to retire from her beloved sport shortly after the 2014 World Cup.
Since her retirement, Maggie has enjoyed coaching in the sport and openly encourages female participation in an often male-dominated sport. She has also been requested to appear as a commentator for BT Sport, Sky Sports and the BBC, now signed to commentate on live rugby matches and the Rugby World Cup for ITV Sports. In her role as a commentator, Maggie is widely praised for becoming the first former female player to commentate on men’s rugby.
A truly inspirational sporting figure, Maggie has been a prominent example of a successful player time and time again. From helping her team to achieve consecutive victories to being inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, Maggie epitomises drive and determination. Also an inspiration as a female in a male-dominated sector, Maggie encourages the inclusion of all in sport and is involved with diversity and inclusion steering groups. When looking for a sports speaker who has a plethora of anecdotes to share about success, drive, determination and most importantly rugby, look no further than Maggie Alphonsi.
Most recently, Maggie Alphonsi was inducted into the Top Speakers to Book for International Women's Day, in recognition of her inspirational achievements in her sporting career.
