Our GameMakers

In a world where women's sport continues to gain momentum and inspire millions,a captivating book titled "Our GameMakers" has recently been published. This beautifullycrafted hardcover publication delves into the remarkable stories of 52 individuals who haveplayed pivotal roles in shaping the global landscape of women's rugby."Our GameMakers" is not just a book; it's a thrilling journey through the history of women's rugby,in a fresh and easily digestible way. Included are 13 New Zealander's who have all had aconsiderable impact on the progression of the global game, including current players PortiaWoodman and Sarah Hirini, and legends from the past Louisa Wall, Rochelle Martin, MelodieRobinson, Kendra Cocksedge and Dr Farah Palmer.Suitable for readers of all ages, this is a must-have for anyone who cherishes rugby andcelebrates the achievements of women in sports. 'Our GameMakers' transcends borders andcultures, sharing compelling tales from rugby-playing nations around the world, including NewZealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, South Africa, Samoa, and France

This is the third book we have co-authored, and ourimagery has been published in dozens of publicationsincluding Dan Carter's and Richie McCaw's autobiographies.But this is the first book we have produced on women'srugby and by far our proudest book to date.JO CAIRDI often feel like a fortunate infiltrator, having neverplayed the game of rugby myself. I grew up in arugby-loving family and when I heard my usuallyquiet grandmother start screaming scary words atthe TV during an All Black test one day, I realised thatthis sport must be worth watching! I soon fell in lovewith the game but was busy pursuing a professionaltennis career. As a youngster I played on the ITF JuniorWorld Circuit before taking up a tennis scholarshipat a university in America. I discovered you couldstudy sports photography, albeit gridiron, basketballand baseball. I wanted to photograph rugby and inparticular the All Blacks.In 1995 I photographed my first of 175 All BlackTest matches. Anna and Fiona Richards, who I met ona commissioned magazine photoshoot, convinced meto travel to Amsterdam and shoot the RWC1998. Annawas adamant they were going to win and they neededsomeone to photograph it! It was an eye-openingexperience for me on many fronts. I had never seenwomen play rugby so well. I had never seen rugbyplayed in this style with so much freedom and passion.I had also never seen camaraderie and friendshipsacross teams and nations. And it was the first time I hadseen women happy to be openly gay. I spent the next20 years covering all sports including the Olympics andCommonwealth Games and became the All Blacks' firstever official photographer.Throughout my career I faced so many challengesin a male-dominated rugby media world, such as beingthe first woman to cover a game at Ellis Park, SouthAfrica. There was no female bathroom in the workingmedia area and I was escorted to use the secretaries'facilities. While covering cricket, I was verbally abusedby the then New Zealand manager for entering thechanging room - thankfully, the players who had askedme to follow them in, rescued me. In rugby league, Ihad a famous player drop his shorts during a trophyshot when he saw there was a female amongst theshooters. But in rugby union, I never had anything butrespect from the players and team management. I spentmany years trying to encourage greater media coverageof women's rugby, increased sponsorship and moresupport from their unions. Watching how the game hasevolved from the RWC1998 to the recent RWC2021 hasbeen nothing short of phenomenal. Although every timesomeone exclaims how great women's rugby is, I haveto resist replying "We have been telling you this foryears!"GEORGIE - PAULA GEORGEAs a child growing up in a small Welsh village, Inever fully appreciated the depth of love and pridemy community had for rugby. The local rugby clubwas the beating heart of social life; it seemed asif every celebration or gathering was held there -from weddings to birthdays and even funerals. Mygrandmother, Nan George, was a longstanding memberof the rugby club. For as long as I can remember, sheworked behind the bar and watched over all of the kidsas we ran around the clubrooms or the rugby fields.I remember how all the men of the village woulddisappear for whole weekends during the Five Nationswhen Wales were scheduled to play away from home.But the weekends I remember most vividly were theweekends Wales played at Cardiff Arms Park. The clubwould be packed with a sea of red scarves, hats andjerseys. The TV was always too loud, but even that wasdrowned out whenever Wales scored a try - especiallyif it was against England. I will always be grateful forthe gift of growing up in a place where rugby was morethan just a sport - it was a way of life.I was fortunate enough to attend six worldchampionships in two different sports, representing twodifferent countries. Netball was my first love, which tookme to Australia to the U21 World Netball Championship.I went on to represent the full Welsh team as vicecaptain at the 1991 World Netball Cup as a 22-yearold.In the same year - 1991 - I completed my HumanMovement Honours Degree and represented Wales inthe RWC1991 in Cardiff.It was only after moving to London, finding my tribeat Wasps Ladies, and playing for the England Women'srugby team that I realised I was nowhere near fulfillingmy potential yet. Wearing the England jersey and laterbeing appointed as Captain - an honour beyond mywildest dreams - I found purpose and drive. RugbyABOUT THE AUTHORSAND ILLUSTRATOR127REFERENCESwas a place where I belonged. I played in a total of fourRugby World Cups and somewhere in my basement Ihave a gold, a silver and a bronze medal, but in my headI carry a thousand golden memories.I finally retired from playing rugby 24 years after thatfirst test for Wales. I fell madly in love and moved to thatother rugby-mad country - New Zealand. Over time Iretrained as a photographer and videographer and spentseveral years working as the behind-the-scenes contentcreator for the All Blacks. It was a privilege to travel andwork closely with the players and the staff, creating, writingand publishing content for all the NZRU's social platforms -Facebook, Instagram, AllBlacks.com and Twitter.Since then, Jo and I have built our bespokecompany to tell stories through photography, videoand the written word, co-authoring several books alongthe way. Surviving cancer five years ago has given mea new hunger for life. Combined with my experience asan athlete, I have grown to understand the desperateneed for mental health strategies to be available to ourathletes, in our schools, in everyone's life. I also workas a mental health advocate for The Resilience Project,when I am not writing stories or crafting videos.HANNAH WILKINSON, illustratorProfessional footballer by day, freelance artist by night.I played college football in the United States, andprofessionally in Sweden, Portugal, Germany and Australia.I also play for the New Zealand Women's National Team(the Football Ferns). I have worn the Fern in three FIFAWomen's World Cups, and three Olympic Games.Born and raised in Whangarei, New Zealand, Ibegan drawing and creating before kicking a ball. Myart evolved from winning local poster competitionsin high school, to designing anime-style pieces forTokyo 2020 under the Olympian Artists Programme, toimplementing murals, one of which adorns Auckland'siconic Eden Park. Creations for Our GameMakers wereinspired by action-packed comic-book visuals; a style ofdrawing I was passionate about growing up.Artistic pursuits offer me a healthy balance off thepitch, allowing space to mentally offload the pressures ofbeing an elite athlete, while also enhancing the focus-flowstate I need to perform both artistically and athletically.

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