Broadstreet RFC

Maggie Alphonsi  probably the most recognised player in women’s rugby and England womens rugby flanker, has been shortlisted for the 2010 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Award – so please cast your votes for the Saracens and England international.

Maggie Alphonsi or more formally Margaret Alphonsi is known as ‘Maggie the Machine’, and has not only scored 16 tries while winning 49 England caps but works as a club and coach officer for the RFUW in London. She obtained the MSc in Sports & Exercise at Roehampton University, A BSc in the same subjects at De Montfort University in Bedford and a BTECH National Diploma in Leisure Studies at Hertford Regional College, Ware.

Maggie Alphonsi

Maggie Alphonsi has proved, if you are good enough, you are old enough.  Alphonsi from north London, started playing rugby in secondary school, much to the surprise of her Nigerian family. But considering her immense talent, they were quickly supportive.

Thanks to her PE teacher, former Wales captain Lisa Burgess, who noticed her potential, Alphonsi joined Saracens women and captained the Great Britain under-16 touch rugby team to Australia, before attending the England academy, where she was selected for the England A team.

Maggie also works within the RFUW implementing the player pathway for women and girls at all levels within the division including the talent identification and selection process. She manages the delivery of the player development syllabus on a divisional basis to ensure the development of players within the programme, and plans and implements specific programmes for divisional rugby at all age groups.

The Sunday Times initiated the awards in 1988 to celebrate all aspects of women’s sport. In the past 22 years, some of the country’s greatest sporting names have been honoured. Previous winners include Sally Gunnell, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, Rebecca Adlington and Victoria Pendleton.

A number of impressive performances and hard-hitting tackles at the women’s rugby World Cup finals established the 26-year-old Saracens and England flanker as the world’s leading female international player.

Maggie Alphonsi is up against some touch competition for the award alongside the likes of heptathlete Jessica Ennis and gymnast Beth Tweddle.

Click here to cast your vote