Representing Rugby
Jodie Ounsley, England
“See It. Believe It.” is a powerful storytelling campaign, launched in partnership with Vodafone, that inspires new audiences to watch women’s rugby by challenging the perceptions that exist around the game and celebrating the sport. In a landmark year for the women’s game, these stories showcase the skill, physicality, and competitiveness that define the sport through the eyes of elite players, pathway players, and fans.
Jodie Ounsley, also known as FURY from Gladiators, was born profoundly deaf. Through resilience and hard work, she became the first deaf female rugby player to play for a senior England side.
My name is Jodie Ounsley, and I am 24 years old from West Yorkshire. Born prematurely, I have been profoundly deaf in both ears all my life and had a cochlear implant fitted at only 14 months old. I communicate by lip reading and interpreting the sounds that the cochlear implant sends directly to my brain.
Growing up, I was active in many sports like athletics, Jiu Jitsu, and the ‘World Coal Carrying Championships’ – a long-running Yorkshire tradition. Despite wanting to play rugby, medical advice prevented me for many years due to my implant. It was my younger brother’s involvement in rugby league that intensified my desire to play.
When I was 15, I finally got my chance. We came up with a plan to reduce risk by wearing a padded scrum cap to protect the implant site in my skull. My parents hoped one training session would ‘get it out of my system’, but the opposite happened. I played my first game that week, scored my first try and was hooked.
Things progressed quickly from there. I moved from County level and age grade England pathways to a rugby scholarship at Loughborough at 16. Two years later, I received a full-time contract with England 7s, which later became GB 7s, leading to a few years of travelling the world on the HSBC 7s circuit before returning to 15s rugby.
I loved my time at Sale Sharks and then at Exeter Chiefs,and while I have faced some challenging times with numerous long-term injuries, through the sport, I have made memories and friends for life.
Embracing Challenges
Playing at big stadiums around the world has always been a fantastic experience for me, but Twickenham holds a special place in my heart.
One memorable occasion was during a replay of the Rosslyn Park 7s Final between Loughborough and Hartpury. I was sent off, and I had no idea why! It turns out the ref had been warning me to get onside, but because I am deaf, I did not hear them. They thought I was deliberately ignoring them and gave me a yellow card.
This taught me the importance of being open about the fact I was deaf and working together with others to communicate better. I am now completely honest about my position, my limitations, and how to approach them in the future.
On the field, I tend to rely on sight and body language, but there have been times where I have run the length of the field to score, only to find out the ref had blown his whistle, making for long, embarrassing walks back up the field.
Breaking Misconceptions
Previously, I would have said that the biggest misconception about women’s rugby is that it is a fringe sport with very little following. This has definitely changed. Community clubs now routinely have girls' and women’s sections and benefit from the funds they bring.
The popularity of the women’s game is exploding. I think the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) in England is the best league in the world, attracting top players and raising the level of play immensely.
Women’s rugby speaks for itself. With support from brands such as Vodafone to reach new audiences, the game will only continue to grow. It is exciting and fast-moving, with fewer stoppages and lots of ‘ball in game time’ – all things fans love.
Another misconception is the lack of physicality. I encourage everyone to see an international or PWR match to dismiss this myth. There are big hits and it is packed with action throughout. This is my favourite part because I love smashing people and have taken this aggression into my role as FURY on Gladiators. I love to represent rugby to a wider audience and, through Gladiators, more girls have been brought to rugby than I could have ever hoped for as a player alone. This is something I am very proud of.
Having brands like Vodafone involved in women’s rugby is amazing for investing in the game and promoting the sport to a wider audience. Women’s rugby is exciting to watch, and once spectators take that step, they often return. Many men I have spoken to said they would never have watched women’s rugby, but once they do, they are hooked. Some actually prefer to watch the women’s game because of its exciting style of play.
My dad is a prime example. He had never seen women’s rugby until I started playing. Now, he mainly watches it and openly promotes it as the best spectator sport. Women’s sport is also very marketable, and larger brands benefit from highlighting the fantastic personalities and stories of those involved.
Rise And Grind
To any girls considering playing rugby, I would say go for it, give it your all, and enjoy the ride. It is an amazing lifestyle.
To be a successful professional athlete, you have to love the game. Training every day is tough, and there will be days you want a break. But enjoying the process is crucial because there will be setbacks, injuries, and disappointments. These experiences build resilience, an essential life skill.
Young people need to see that their dreams are achievable. Growing up, I never saw anyone deaf in sports, which affected my confidence. I was nervous and used to hide my hearing loss. Now, I use my profile as a rugby player and Gladiator to try and change that for the next generation, especially those who feel a little bit different.
I get quite embarrassed being called a role model, but it is something I take very seriously. I try to be a good person and inspire kids to pursue their dreams, even if it is a bit scary.
Increasing Momentum
Women’s rugby has transformed dramatically, even in the short time I have been involved, and the level of play and athleticism improves every year. On top of this, exposure and accessibility on mainstream platforms are boosting the popularity of the sport - things are moving quickly in the right direction.
When I visit schools, I talk to many young girls who already see their potential careers as professional rugby players, which is so heartwarming. With more women’s rugby coverage than ever, the momentum will only increase.
The women’s game is where rugby union is growing, and we should all support it. See the game, buy tickets, and get involved; you will not be disappointed!
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Vodafone is working with ex-England Sevens and Exeter Chiefs star Jodie Ounsley to tackle false stereotypes, and bring the game to new audiences. As the Nation’s Network, Vodafone is committed to lifting the nation through the power of positive connections. The “See It. Believe It.” campaign builds on the brand’s long-standing support for women’s rugby since becoming the Founding Principal Partner of Women’s and Girl’s Rugby in Wales in 2022.
