England rugby legend Emily Scarratt has issued a powerful call for more women to enter coaching roles, declaring that the sport must "do a better job" of fostering female leadership. The record points scorer for the Red Roses made the statement in an interview with BBC Sport's Sara Orchard, highlighting a critical gap in the pathway from player to mentor.
Scarratt is leading by example, having recently joined the England women's national team coaching staff as the lead attack and backs coach for the upcoming 2026 Women's Six Nations. Her appointment marks a significant step, but she emphasizes it's just the beginning of a necessary shift.
"We need to get more women into coaching," Scarratt asserted, pointing to the unique perspectives and understanding that female coaches bring to women's teams. She argues that increasing representation is not just about equality but about improving the quality and specificity of coaching for female athletes.
The push comes amid growing recognition of the value of diverse coaching staffs in high-performance sports. Scarratt's advocacy suggests that having more women in strategic coaching positions could be a key factor in the continued development and success of women's rugby on the global stage.