The women’s rugby great on mixed school days in Kent, her childhood passion for rugby and why she still remembers two sports teachers with immense gratitude
Where did you go to school and when?
I went to school in Chatham and Rochester – first Lordswood and then The Thomas Aveling School – between 1992-2002.
What was/were your school/s like?
At infant and junior, all I remember is playing a lot in the playground. And I remember sports days so well – I loved them! Secondary school was a different animal – friendship groups, what was cool what was not. This is where I noticed that I didn’t learn or understand things like my peers, I didn’t enjoy secondary years. Sport wasn’t top of the agenda anymore and women in sport weren’t pushed or celebrated.
Did you love school, or hate it?
I loved earlier years. There was no judgement – it was just being curious and playing and having fun was encouraged. If I could go back, I would. But I did not like or enjoy my secondary years, and I tried to get out of going as much as I could. I wasn’t academic at all – I just didn’t learn the traditional way. This meant I went through school believing I wasn’t smart, that I was stupid. I didn’t do much sport at school because it wasn’t really available to me. Although I enjoyed being around my friends, I struggled with learning.
What were your favourite subjects at school?
Anything practical – so technology and PE and English – I enjoyed writing stories and being creative. I disliked pretty much everything else. Double Geography was a killer…
Who were your favourite teachers and how did they influence you?
My PE teachers Mrs Wellman and Mr Cleave, hands down. If it wasn’t for them I would have been in more trouble. I would have struggled to get through school.
Where was your favourite place at school and what did you do there?
Haha! I’m not sure I can say. We used to call it ‘the corner’. We would all meet there during breaks. And in the winter, we would hang around in the corridors trying to keep warm.
What beliefs did your time at school give you?
That I wasn’t good at school and not smart, that I was deemed a troublemaker. My PE teachers were the only ones who saw past my classroom results and helped me believe in myself in sport.
What was your proudest school moment?
Being given sporting colours. I was the highest-achieving pupil. Even so, school didn’t give me a PE GCSE.
What was the most trouble you ever got into at school?
This was generally being sent out of class for refusing to do the work or read out loud or being answer a question in front of everyone. My head of year put me on report a lot – I don’t think this made a difference.
Were you ever ‘too cool for school’?
I think some might say I was because I didn’t really listen to teachers, however I was my own person. I played rugby, which made me stand out. That made me different anyway, but I was never bothered what other people thought.
What is your most vivid memory, looking back?
It was the friendships I made, the long walks home with close friends – probably talking rubbish.
When and how did your love of rugby begin?
My love of rugby started very young I would say around four or five years old. I first played when I was six and I loved it from then onwards. My mum dad and sister all played so I was so happy doing what they did.
What other key influences shaped you growing up?
My mum is a massive influence on me, she worked so hard – whatever the job was she did it to her very best and I learnt this trait from her. This definitely shaped my work ethic.
What projects and challenges are coming up next for you?
There’s lots going on at the moment. I’m currently taken on a new role with English Rugby Players Association as Head of Women’s Rugby – which is looking after the Women’s PWR league. I also have a fair bit of travel coming up for work and some play. Festival of Sport with my family is one of the greatest highlights coming up next year – I can’t wait for this one.
How would you sum up your school days in three words?
LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP.
Rachael Burford will be among the legends coaching at Festival of Sport 2025, a family weekend of sports to try, camping and evening entertainment at Packington Estate, Warwickshire from 1-4 August. Tickets on sale now. festivalofsportuk.com
Further reading: Dwayne Fields on school days in Jamaica and London
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