Photo Credit: Ollie Craig
Hartpury University and College are proud to be participating in Vodafone’s EmpowHER programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support and elevate young female rugby players.
This collaboration aims to provide athletes with the tools, mentorship, and mental health support necessary to thrive both on and off the field.
Vodafone’s EmpowHER programme, in partnership with The Good, The Scaz and The Rugby (GSR) podcast, has already made significant strides in promoting women’s rugby across the UK. Initially launched at Durham University, Cardiff University, and the University of Edinburgh during the 2023-24 season, the programme has now expanded to include Hartpury University and College, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Loughborough University, and the University of Exeter. This expansion ensures that all seven teams in the BUCS Super Rugby league are now benefiting from this comprehensive support system.
Through the EmpowerHER programme, Hartpury players will receive one-to-one mentoring from rugby experts, including England stars Emily Scarratt and Mo Hunt, as well as broadcaster Elma Smit. This mentorship will help athletes pursue their dreams, whether they aim to play professionally, coach, manage teams, or work in sports media.
The programme also introduced the Vodafone PLAYER.Connect performance dashboard, a cutting-edge platform that collects and analyses data on athletes’ performance and recovery. This holistic approach includes monitoring sleep, mood, energy levels, nutrition, and menstrual cycles, providing valuable insights to coaches, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. This technology ensures that players receive immediate feedback and tailored support to enhance their performance and wellbeing.
Mental health is a key focus of the EmpowHER programme. In collaboration with the rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz, the initiative offers university-specific mental health training modules. These modules equip players with the tools to manage their mental health, recognise signs of struggle, and create a supportive environment for themselves and their teammates.
“Rugby isn't just about rugby,” says Shira Kilgallon, executive producer at the GSR podcast. Having picked up the ball aged 12, she recalls the sense of belonging she felt as a girl among teammates who also prized being “strong” rather than “small”. “I discovered rugby was as much about what I took away from the field, as what I did on it,” she says, of how the sport can help forge identity and friendship, as well as a powerful body. We've already seen an increase in participation in women's rugby, and we're hoping Vodafone's EmpowHER can build on the exciting momentum happening right now,”
Tom Radcliffe, Director of Elite Sport at Hartpury University and College said: “Hartpury University is excited to be part of this transformative programme and looks forward to seeing our athletes excel in rugby and beyond. We are committed to supporting our players' dreams and fostering a thriving, inclusive rugby community for all.”
Hartpury University and Hartpury College offers a comprehensive women’s rugby pathway that integrates academic excellence with elite sports training, providing a clear professional progression route for talented players. Talented students can progress through the pathway from college to university and then into Gloucester Hartpury RFC.
Hartpury University ranks 4th in the UK for Sports Science according to The Guardian University Guide 2025.
