Giselle Mather: Coaching With Courage and Changing the Game

“Human before athlete - that’s non-negotiable.”

Giselle Mather is one of rugby’s most pioneering coach-leaders. An England international and 1994 World Cup winner who became the first woman to earn the RFU Level 4 qualification. 

In this candid conversation, Giselle relives the raw early years of the women’s game, from the first Women’s World Cup in 1991 to lifting the trophy in ’94, and explains how those experiences forged a coaching philosophy that puts the human before the athlete.

She shares how she’s earned respect in men’s environments, the principles that underpin her sessions and the leadership needed to build diverse staff teams where every player can connect and thrive. We talk visibility as the fastest route to equality for women’s rugby, why elite athletes deserve the very best qualified coaches, how blunt gender quotas can backfire and how Giselle’s managed to balance elite sport with family life.

Unapologetically proud and fiercely future-focused, Giselle is clear - the women’s game isn’t a stepping stone to the men’s - it’s the destination. 

Thank you to Sport England who support The Game Changers Podcast with a National Lottery award.

Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here: https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangers

Hosted by Sue Anstiss
Produced by Sam Walker, What Goes On Media

A Fearless Women production