Offside and Overstimulated

  How I accidentally swapped boots for a whistle (and sometimes forgot both) ⸻ If you’d told younger me that I’d be coaching women’s rugby, I would’ve laughed, probably spilled my drink, and said something along the lines of:  “Me? The one who still forgets which way we’re playing until half-time?” And yet, here I am. Whistle in hand, clipboard somewhere at the bottom of my kit bag, and surrounded by the most brilliant, chaotic, determined group of women you’ll ever meet. ⸻ 🏉  Still Playing, Still Coaching, Wondering Why I Do Both I started coaching while I was still playing. Some might call that dedication. Others might call it questionable time management. Both are correct. Playing gave me the adrenaline- the tackles, the mud, the sheer joy of crashing over the try line. But coaching? Coaching gave me something else entirely. It was a chance to see the game from a different angle, to step back slightly and help other women fall in love with rugby the way I did. And so ...

Photo: me and my team. Or: How I Forgot My Whistle but Remembered to Change Lives Coaching with ADHD is a bit like playing a match in sideways rain with one boot on. Chaotic? Yes. But also, strangely effective… once you get used to the puddles. So here’s what I wish more people understood about what it’s really like: 1. My Brain is a Bouncy Castle Ideas? I’ve got a million. I can design a training session that’s fast-paced, creative, and keeps everyone guessing - mostly because I  also  don’t entirely know what’s happening next. Structure? Loosely held. Chaos? Lovingly embraced. But trust me, if you want someone who can adapt on the fly with minimal tantrums when half the team cancels, the pitch is flooded, and your key player forgot her boots - I’m your girl.  2. Admin is My Arch-Nemesis I care deeply about every single player on my team. I will cheer their wins, remember their pronouns, and check in when they’re going through it. But will I forget to submit the team she...

ADHD, or, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodivergent condition on a spectrum. The type of ADHD a person has and how the symptoms present and affect their life differs massively from person to person. For example, boys might typically be the more stereotypical rowdy untamed children idea of ADHD, while women and girls might typically internalise their hyperactivity in the form of racing thoughts, constant talking, fidgeting etc. Some people don’t even have the hyperactive element much or at all, purely experiencing the lack of focus, organisation and concentration symptoms that come with the attention deficit type. Of course, I had to have a combination of both and be one of the few women that are outwardly hyper at times. Soz.  But how does this positively affect my ability to coach?  High energy = high impact. I’m often buzzing with energy and new ideas and that kinda energy can be infectious on other people. Players have called me the one woman hype crew be...

Hello and welcome. My name is Hayley and I am a neurodivergent rugby union coach and ex-player currently coaching women and girls at Morley RFC in Leeds.   I’ve spent a fair bit of time learning how to tame my ADHD in order to provide the high level of coaching that my players deserve and I’ve finally come to the conclusion it can’t be tamed and I’ve got to lean into the chaos. So  I’ve decided to get all my jumbled thoughts down in writing with the hope that they might help or inspire other neurodivergent women into sport or coaching.   I will be writing about Neurodivergence itself, coaching tips and advice, team culture and more. So thanks for being here, have a read, and don’t forget to let me know what you think!