DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ RUGBY, EMILY ‘BADGER’ COTTERILL, REFLECTS ON HER SHORT TIME IN THE ROLE SO FAR AND LOOKS AHEAD TO LONG-TERM GOALS AND SUCCESS
We sat down with Emily to hear her thoughts on recent women’s success and the growth of the Watsonian Wildcats
In October 2023, Emily Cotterill was announced as Director of Women’s and Girl’s Rugby, embracing a role that gives her the power to shape the future of the club she calls home. Having had her playing career ended in October 2021 due to a serious knee injury, Emily has held multiple roles across the club over the past 10 years. These roles included being captain and women’s player rep prior to becoming the Director of Women’s and Girl’s Rugby. In this unique role, Emily works closely with the SRU to ensure the club’s plans align with those of the governing body. From emails and recruitment to collaborating with other clubs and helping out on matchdays, her role is constant, unpredictable and massively rewarding.
It’s not without its challenges, though. While the game of women’s rugby union continues to grow from strength to strength in Scotland, recruitment remains a challenge – especially with multiple teams competing in the same area. Despite these hurdles, Watsonian Women’s Rugby has grown stronger, winning its 2nd Sarah Beaney Cup last season, back-to-back. Looking back at these victories, Emily added: “I am incredibly proud of the squad as a whole to perform so well on such a big stage. It was fantastic to be part of it in a different capacity this time around and to see everyone start so strong and not let up for the entire 80 minutes. I feel that this encapsulated the attitude of the squad who fully deserved the success that came at Murrayfield.”
Further evidence of the club’s success was also shown last season when 10 players were selected for Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Celtic Challenge squads – a new concept brought into Scottish Rugby last season. This new level of competition presented a proud moment for the club and a testament to the work that Emily and the squad have dedicated. Losing 10 player midway through a season could easily have been detrimental, but the team’s depth and numbers shone through, resulting in continued success.
Emily reflects on this challenge, saying: “This was a short-term pain point for us last season, but we absolutely made the most of it and got to showcase the depth of our squad with multiple players stepping up massively. Having learned from the challenges of The Celtic Challenge last season, we can plan ahead this season to celebrate the success of the players who will be released to Edinburgh and Glasgow, whilst being confident that there are players ready to step up to the plate and help us succeed throughout our league and cup campaigns.”
To address the ongoing recruitment challenges this season, Emily and the coaching staff are exploring new ways to engage the local community. By partnering with schools, hosting open training sessions, and leveraging the club’s recent success, they aim to attract more women and girls to the sport, ensuring the continued growth of the Watsonian Wildcats and Women’s teams.
Another key solution has been the development of the girls’ rugby programme, Watsonian Wildcats, as well as introducing new players to the sport at the Women’s level. For example, this season, the club is running its first ‘introduction to rugby’ sessions – a 12-week induction programme led by Jenny Menday, a current Watsonian Women’s player who is looking to retire but has been helping cover the front row position. Ex-player and Watsonians stalwart, Charlotte Runcie, has also joined the staff to help run the strength and conditioning department. Open to anyone interested in trying rugby, the programme offers a welcoming entry point for newcomers, no matter their background. Emily adds: “It’s never too late to join the sport in any capacity. We know that the success of women’s rugby in Scotland is going to inspire more people to play., and there are a wealth of potential players waiting in the wings – whether they are work colleagues or gym mates, the 12-week induction is open to anyone who wants to give the game a try”.
The Watsonian Wildcats – open to anyone aged under 12 to under 16 – continues to steadily grow as well. By getting players involved from a young age, Emily is confident that this pathway will one day see Wildcats players progress to playing in the senior squad. Currently coaching the Wildcats, Emily is excited about the programme’s growth:
“We are delighted that we can run the Wildcats so closely alongside the Women’s set-up and hope that our young players can draw inspiration from their success. The Wildcats continue to grow, and it is important to note that anybody who falls within the age restrictions can join. I would highly encourage anybody who would like to come along to join us and give rugby a try, no matter where you are from or which school you go to. We pride ourselves on growing the community feeling.”
Emily’s dedication to building a sustainable future for Watsonians through various initiatives has undeniably positioned the club for long-term success. Her forward-thinking approach is not only focused on immediate wins but also on laying the groundwork for continued growth. With Emily’s direction and expertise, we can ensure the club remains a supportive environment, with equal treatment of all women’s’ and girls’ players so that they can focus on and enjoy their rugby. While being competitive, Watsonians is committed to growing women’s and girls’ rugby in Scotland by providing a pathway for all – regardless of skill and experience.
Join us in supporting Emily and the growth of women’s and girls’ rugby at Watsonians. Whether you’re interested in trying rugby for the first time, volunteering on matchdays, or helping to spread the word, everyone is welcome at Myreside. “You can’t be what you can’t see”.
