via England Rugby
Our Club ambassador for the Womens Rugby World Cup 25, Tatyana has had a brilliant interview on the England website. Contiune below and give it a read through.
England and Gloucester-Hartpury centre Tatyana Heard has 18 caps for her country and played a key part in Red Roses’ Six Nations and WXV title wins in 2023. Born in Pisa, Italy, Heard’s playing career started in Malton and Norton RUFC when she was aged 11.
“It was difficult getting lots of girls involved in and playing rugby. Luckily, my parents would drive me around and take me to clubs a couple of hours away; it was the only way we could field a team altogether.
“I’m grateful for those experiences. I got to know so many people and travel around so much more just to play and be involved in the sport. It was an exciting time but to see how much the sport has grown now is incredible.
“I remember the coaches we had at that age were so supportive. There was just me and one other girl in the team with the boys and we weren’t treated any differently, which was incredible. I think we’re lucky in that respect because that’s not the case for everyone and not everyone had that experience. All I can remember from those moments is that they were a lot of fun.”
"I think it’s amazing to see how much the sport has changed for women and girls. I think the visibility has been massive. There are so many more games that are broadcast on TV and little girls can look up to people who they want to be like when they’re older.
"We didn’t really have that – there were teams, but we didn’t know about them because we didn’t see it. So that is a massive growth factor. We want to be seen and we want to be heard. People need to know that this is important.
"It's important for girls growing up to have that sense of confidence rugby gives you. Without that, I would be a completely different person."
Tatyana was part of the team who beat France in front of a record crowd to win the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam.
“When you come from the experience of not really having much support and playing in international games where there’s 300 or 400 people on the sidelines, it gets to a point where you’re like 'I can’t believe this is me in this environment'. “The speed in which the game is growing is just incredible. To get more people involved and on board is exciting, and hopefully we get loads more in the upcoming Six Nations.
“Going forward, I guess it can only go up and it’s amazing how far it’s already come.”
