During our This Girl Can week, we are talking to some of our TeamUCL Elite Athletes to find out more about their journey through sport


My name is Rudee. ans I'm studying European Social and Political Studies Dual Degree 4th year.
My sporting journey started at school - I was always a very sporty child and played many many sports at school. When I was 10, a woman with a netball club asked me to join her club. I played for this team for a total of 8 years. Netball became my main sport and at age 14, I started to take it very seriously and play at elite level. I was inspired by the England netballers, especially Serena Guthrie.
Has there been any obstacles that have you faced as a women athlete, and how have you overcome them?
One obstacle may be the perception and stereotype of netball. Many people, mostly men assume that it is barely a sport or is just a female version of basketball. This old fashioned myth has stopped netball professionalising and has stunted its international growth and financial development. On a personal level challenges arise in terms of selection and commitment, as well as organisation with school and work commitments. Challenges have also been financial, when I moved to London I had to workout cost of living as well as the very steep netball fees just to play at elite level, not to mention the transport fees to attend all of my training sessions in East London.
Are there any women athletes in which you looked up to? And how have they influenced you?
My earliest netball inspiration was Serena Guthrie, she looked like me, we had the same hair, complexion, and even similar netball positions. I got to meet her a few times and they were really happy experiences. I watched her win England's first ever gold in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and that really ignited a desire that I wanted to follow in her footsteps.
What does the “This Girl Can” campaign mean to you?
I have heard about the This Girl Can campaign for about 10 years now, my earliest experience was walking into my secondary school changing rooms where there were several posters from the This Girl Can campaign from the 2010’s, then I remember seeing TV advertisements. I believed all of these pictures really resonated with me. It echoed what my dad had always told me when we used to play sport together, teaching me how to throw properly, to remove the ’stereotype’ of ’throwing like a girl’. In the same way that I learnt to run or swim or play male-dominated sports such as football. This accumulation has contributed to the fact that I have never doubted that there is something I cannot do as a girl.
What advice would you give to women who are interested in starting or pursing sport?
Socially, it could be one of the easiest places to find supportive and dedicated friends. Sport in the most part is a community where people support each other, therefore it can be a very positive experience. It can help with mental health and well-being, not forgetting physical health too.
How have family, friends and communities supported you through your sports career?
My family have been a great support system. They have always been there when I needed them. Financially too, netball isn't a cheap sport, there are not subsidies or wiped training fees like in rugby or football, therefore for many years I had to rely on my parents, as well as very kind coaches who helped out sometimes.
How do you manage the demands of training, competitions, studies, and personal life? How do you stary motivated?
The balancing act between academic work and netball are tough, but now organisation has become second nature as I have been juggling everything for many years. When I lived at home, my parents helped in terms of transport and getting me everywhere and during the transport I would do my school work. On weekends I had matches and had to ensure my homework ws completed prior to. At university and especially in London it’s a different story but I use my time wisely.
Have you encountered stereotypes in your sport? How do you address them?
Yes, words to the effect that netball is not a real sport and that netballers are not real athletes. However, the amount of commitment and real physical demands of the sport demonstrate otherwise. I educate those with these false pretences and the sport itself is currently professionalizing and more people are hearing about it, thus being forced to take it more seriously.
What is the most memorable moment in your sporting career?
Playing for London Pulse versus Northern Ireland in 2024 at Nottingham Arena.
What are your goals in sport and beyond?
I hope to still play competitively for as many years as I can. I also want to keep inspiring the next generation of children to play netball and I do this via coaching.
Inspired by Rudee's story? Why not explore what explore our This Girl Can or Women Only activities!