Rachael Burford is one of England’s most respected rugby players, with an international career that has spanned nearly two decades.
From making her senior XV debut at the 2006 Rugby World Cup to becoming a World Champion in 2014, Rachael has made her mark on the global stage – not just for her performances on the pitch, but also for her powerful voice off it.
Starting rugby at just six years old with Medway RFC, sport has always been Rachael’s passion. Since then, she has gone on to earn over 80 caps for England in XVs and has featured in 22 international Sevens tournaments, representing her country in an incredible five Rugby World Cups across both formats – in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014.
Rachael was part of the England squad that won the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup, a year that also saw the team crowned both Sky Sports and BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year. That same year, Rachael received the England Player of the Year award and became one of the first women to be offered a professional rugby contract.
Off the pitch, Rachael is a true leader and change-maker. She was the first woman elected to the Professional Players’ Board in England and currently sits on the boards of the International Rugby Players Association (IRPA) and World Rugby. Her work includes influencing the future of the game on the High Performance Rugby Committee and the Laws Review Group, championing athlete welfare and representation at the highest level.
An accomplished speaker, Rachael regularly shares her story at schools, corporate events and leadership conferences. She speaks with authenticity about overcoming setbacks, the power of teamwork, and how sport teaches valuable lessons that apply far beyond the game – including resilience, communication and high performance under pressure.
Rachael is passionate about making a difference and continues to inspire the next generation.
Reaching the top in sport takes more than talent. It requires leadership and performing at your very best when it matters most. In this talk, our athletes share how they prepare to deliver under pressure, lead by example, and bring out the best in themselves and those around them. Pupils will learn how strong leadership, focus, and self-belief can help them achieve their own peak performance in school, sport, and life.
What makes a team truly successful? Our athletes reveal the secrets behind high performing teams, whether it is a sports squad, a relay team, or a support network behind the scenes. They share how trust, clear roles, good communication, and a shared goal lead to outstanding results. Pupils will learn how these lessons apply not just in sport, but in school groups, projects, and friendships too.
Having a growth mindset means believing you can improve through effort, learning, and perseverance. In this talk, our athletes explain how this way of thinking has helped them deal with setbacks, learn from mistakes, and keep improving, no matter the odds. Pupils will be encouraged to embrace challenges, stay positive, and understand that hard work and resilience lead to progress in sport and in life.
We have used Rachael on 3 occasions in supporting our annual project. She is engaging and relates to young people as ‘someone like me’. She provides fantastic advice to young people and helps to inspire those that are inactive / irregularly active. We would highly recommend Rachael to those looking for a Rugby Sporting Champion to visit one of their projects.
Inspirational Athletes connects schools & communities with elite athletes who inspire, motivate and engage young people through talks, workshops and sports sessions.
Address:
Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 1RD
Phone:
020 7993 2724
Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
