"Crucial step forward" – Sam Monaghan: Ireland Women's captain driving change with Vodafone's EmpowerHer Project

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As women's rugby continues to grow in prominence and profile ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, one of the standout figures leading the charge is Ireland Women’s captain Sam Monaghan. The lock has been at the forefront of the game's rise, as a vocal advocate for the initiatives that are bringing through the next generation of talent.

One such initiative is Vodafone's ‘EmpowerHer’ project, which has been a game-changer for the current generation of rugby players. In collaboration with the trailblazing ‘Good, Scaz & Rugby’ podcast, the EmpowerHer project helps the stars of tomorrow’s women’s game bridge the gap from the BUCS (British Universities College Sport) Super League to becoming Test match contenders. We caught up with Sam to discuss the pathway, player welfare, and her thoughts on the future of women's rugby.

EmpowerHer: A Game-Changer for Women's Rugby

The introduction of structured player pathways is vital in developing talent as they finish their studies, and ‘EmpowerHer’ has become a cornerstone in that evolution. Monaghan sees this as a crucial step forward in progressing to the Test match stage. "In the past, girls would come into playing AIL (All-Ireland League), which is essentially championship rugby. To have that middle ground of a step where girls are able to have a mentor and people to guide them through the pathway, it's great to see.”

Monaghan is particularly excited about the way EmpowerHer gives young players a taste of professionalism, from tactical analysis to strength and conditioning alongside some high profile mentors. "Players get a taste of professionalism through this initiative. They learn how to prepare for a week's schedule, handle nutrition, and understand S&C. As players reach their full potential, this structured approach helps them ease into the professional environment with confidence," Monaghan adds.

Expanding the Reach: EmpowerHer Across all Seven BUCS Women’s Teams

What's even more impressive is how the EmpowerHer initiative has expanded to include all seven teams in the Women’s BUCS Super Rugby this season (Cardiff, Cardiff Met, Durham, Hartpury, Exeter, Loughborough and Edinburgh), up from just three teams last year. For Monaghan, this is a huge step forward in providing equal opportunities for the most promising players. "It's amazing to see that all the seven teams are getting the EmpowerHer scheme this year. Last year, it was just Durham, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, but now it's across the whole league," she says.

Monaghan sees the program as crucial platform between grassroots and the top tier of rugby. "At Gloucester-Hartpury, a lot of our coaches play for the team, so the girls get to see and be coached by those coming through the pathway. It's great to see this progression from college to university and then feeding into the senior teams," she explains.

The Power of Player Welfare: Player Connect and Mental Health Support

Injuries are an unfortunate part of any athlete's journey, and Monaghan is no stranger to the challenges they bring. As she recovers from a recent injury of her own, Monaghan reflects on the importance of both physical and mental health support. One tool that has been crucial during her recovery is the Vodafone Player Connect app, which helps athletes track their physical condition and manage their recovery. "It's so important to listen to our bodies. As players, sometimes we are quite guilty of just cracking on. But with the Player Connect app, coaches can adjust sessions based on real data about how sore or fatigued we are," Monaghan explains.

She also emphasizes the mental health support available through programs like Loose Heads, which partners with EmpowerHer to provide wellbeing services. "It's great to have support when you need it most. At Gloucester-Hartpury, we have our wellbeing officer, Sean, who looks after how we balance life outside of rugby. It's not just about physical performance but ensuring we're mentally prepared too," Monaghan says.

Ireland's World Cup Campaign: "We Want to Be World Cup Contenders"

Looking ahead to the 2025 Rugby World Cup, Monaghan is optimistic about Ireland's chances when the tournament kicks off in England next September. The team has made significant strides since their disappointing 2023 Women’s Six Nations campaign, and their performances in WXV have proven that they can compete with the best. "After the (2023) Six Nations, we were quite disappointed, finishing last. But we came together and spoke about how we could be better. We wanted to be World Cup contenders," Monaghan reflects.

Monaghan believes that Ireland's success will continue to inspire the next generation of players. A third placed finish in the 2024 Women’s Six Nations qualified the women in green for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and a place in the 2024 WXV1 tournament. The trip to Canada was a memorable one for Scott Bemand’s side, who achieved a historic win over the iconic Black Ferns of New Zealand that stunned the rugby world. "We've come a long way in the last year, and we're aiming for the top spots in the World Cup. Our performances so far show we're on the right path. We want to inspire girls in Ireland to pick up a rugby ball," she says.

Looking to the Future: "There's Still So Much More Potential"

As Ireland's squad continues to grow and improve, Monaghan sees a bright future for the women's game. "We've definitely come to our goals, but we still have so much more potential to reach, especially in the next year. With all the changes happening, especially the introduction of more structured pathways and opportunities, there's so much more to come," she says, reflecting on the broader impact of programs like EmpowerHer.

The future of women's rugby looks promising, thanks in no small part to the tireless work of athletes like Sam Monaghan, who are not only leading by example on the field but also pushing for greater opportunities for the next generation. The EmpowerHer initiative is just one part of the ongoing evolution of women's rugby, and with figures like Monaghan championing the cause, the game is only set to grow stronger.

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