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Hampstead chair honoured by RFU
Harriet Orrell2 Oct - 20:01
Deborah Crossan has been named as one of 25 female pioneers of English rugby
I feel incredibly honoured to be part of this amazing group of women
- Deborah Crossan
Hampstead RFC's first female chair has been acknowledged by the RFU for her pioneering work in rugby.
She was named as one of 25 women as part of a nationwide search to find those who have broken barriers in the game as part of the celebrations around the Rugby World Cup.
"I feel incredibly honoured to be part of this amazing group of women being recognised as rugby pioneers," she said.
"There are so many women at Hampstead RFC and across the country who do so much for rugby clubs and inspire girls and boys to want to play for their club, county and country, to value volunteering and be a future leader."
Deborah has been chair of Hampstead since summer 2020 where she has been the first woman to hold the position, and has also been the first female on the Middlesex Discipline Committee.
She began playing rugby at Sheffield University, inspired by watching her brother David coach a women's team.
Deborah has been at Hampstead since 2007, was the women's section's first club captain, and has twice won a Middlesex Volunteer of the Year award.
She was invited to watch the final Red Roses match versus Spain in August where she got to meet the other pioneers and the RFU president Deborah Griffin.
"From those early days when the women’s game fought for recognition and opportunity, through to the thriving and rapidly developing landscape we see today, the role these individuals played has been nothing short of transformative," said Griffin.
"They are part of a much larger group who have transformed the game across England. We could have named far more pioneers than the 25."
Deborah's recognition reflects her huge contribution to the whole game, and her dedication and leadership at Hampstead.
She steered the club through the pandemic and led from the front as it rebuilt after the lockdowns and has spent the past two years in the RFU women's leadership collective, made up of senior female leaders in their county or club.
This recognition by the RFU as a female pioneer is a huge honour for Hampstead and we would like to thank Deborah for her hard work and dedication to club.
You can read more about the other pioneers on the RFU website here.
She was named as one of 25 women as part of a nationwide search to find those who have broken barriers in the game as part of the celebrations around the Rugby World Cup.
"I feel incredibly honoured to be part of this amazing group of women being recognised as rugby pioneers," she said.
"There are so many women at Hampstead RFC and across the country who do so much for rugby clubs and inspire girls and boys to want to play for their club, county and country, to value volunteering and be a future leader."
Deborah has been chair of Hampstead since summer 2020 where she has been the first woman to hold the position, and has also been the first female on the Middlesex Discipline Committee.
She began playing rugby at Sheffield University, inspired by watching her brother David coach a women's team.
Deborah has been at Hampstead since 2007, was the women's section's first club captain, and has twice won a Middlesex Volunteer of the Year award.
She was invited to watch the final Red Roses match versus Spain in August where she got to meet the other pioneers and the RFU president Deborah Griffin.
"From those early days when the women’s game fought for recognition and opportunity, through to the thriving and rapidly developing landscape we see today, the role these individuals played has been nothing short of transformative," said Griffin.
"They are part of a much larger group who have transformed the game across England. We could have named far more pioneers than the 25."
Deborah's recognition reflects her huge contribution to the whole game, and her dedication and leadership at Hampstead.
She steered the club through the pandemic and led from the front as it rebuilt after the lockdowns and has spent the past two years in the RFU women's leadership collective, made up of senior female leaders in their county or club.
This recognition by the RFU as a female pioneer is a huge honour for Hampstead and we would like to thank Deborah for her hard work and dedication to club.
You can read more about the other pioneers on the RFU website here.
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