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19 Oct 2006 09:34:31
Rugby ace Maggie Alphonsi, who played in the women’s World Cup last month, is among 900 students due to graduate in Bedford next week.
The flanker was a major force in the women’s team which reached the final in Canada, only to be beaten 17-25 by New Zealand in an extremely close match.
She will be awarded a BSc honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science along with fellow students, who will see their hard work rewarded at graduation ceremonies at Bedford Corn Exchange on 26 and 27 October.
DMU Bedford’s campus merged with the University of Luton on 1 August to become the University of Bedfordshire, but this year’s cohort of students will all graduate from DMU.
Maggie has already landed a job as Rugby Development Officer for the Women's section at Saracens Rugby Club, while playing for the women's team. She will also continue studying part-time for a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology at Roehampton University.
Part of her role includes visiting schools in London to encourage teenagers to play rugby. The 22-year-old said: “It was such an amazing experience to get so far in the World Cup and I think it was a great advert for women’s rugby, especially as it was being televised on Sky Sports for the first time.
“The standard of rugby was really high which showed the world that watching women play is just as exciting as men’s rugby. It will take time for women in the sport to get the recognition they deserve but, following the World Cup, I think people’s attitudes are already changing, although we’ve got a long way to go.
“I really enjoy my job as a Development Officer as I get to inspire children, who previously hadn’t thought about rugby and I can encourage teachers to be passionate about the game, which they can pass on to the students.”
Maggie was able to pursue her dream of playing professional rugby through the University’s Sport Scholarship Scheme, which pays students an ‘access to sport’ grant to support their sports commitments whilst studying. She gained her first England cap at the age of 19.
She added: “The scheme was a god-send and the grant helped me to develop as an athlete, without my studies having to suffer, as I was able to put the money towards travel and equipment. I owe a lot to the University for getting me where I am today.”
