International Women’s Day: Our exclusive interview with rugby star Georgie Perris-Redding
International Women’s Day: Our exclusive interview with rugby star Georgie Perris-Redding
In honour of International Women’s Day and in recognition of our official partnership with Premiership Women’s Rugby, Kerry Barkworth, a Senior Safety, Health and Environment Advisor with Wates Smartspace, was invited to the Sale Sharks training ground in Manchester to meet one of the club’s most successful players, flanker Georgie Perris-Redding.
Levelling the playing field to help women thrive
Kerry Barkworth has recently discovered a love for women’s rugby, taking up the game at amateur level, aged 47, and now playing regularly for Ripon Ladies, her local club, in Yorkshire.
She admits that being on the pitch with an all-female team is ‘completely empowering’. As a Safety, Health and Environment Advisor for Wates Smartspace, she’s frustrated that women are still under-represented in built environment roles, but can see positive signs that things are changing.
The Wates partnership with Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) is a brilliant move and should help improve the balance.”
“The PWR encourages players to take up the sport and thrive, and we want to do more of that in our industry.”
Kerry Barkworth
Senior Safety Health and Environment Advisor, Wates Smartspace
Kerry was thrilled to be invited to one of PWR’s nine clubs, Sale Sharks in Manchester, to meet Georgie Perris-Redding, who started playing at the age of seven and now plays for the club and at international level for the USA, where she was born. They had plenty to talk about, comparing career experiences and talking about their shared passion not only for the game, but also for encouraging more women into their respective fields.
Empowering women on and off the pitch
Georgie admits her journey into professional women’s rugby was a smooth one, largely thanks to her parents. “My mum started a career in a historically male-dominated field – the motor industry – aged 18. She worked her way up to director level and was the only female on the board. Dad fully supported her and empowered my twin sister and I to follow our passion to play rugby.”
Kerry says: “Wates has done so much in the diversity and inclusion space already and is challenging the view that construction is a man’s world. When I started in the industry I felt like the odd one out, and I had to work hard to earn the respect of my male peers,” she says. “Great progress has been made, but we need to do more.”
Georgie describes the challenges women have faced in playing professional rugby. “There were no female role models to look up to when I was younger,” she says. “I really wanted to play the game at a high level, but I had no idea if it was even possible. I was training and playing with boys and used to wear my hair up in a scrum hat. There were lots of stereotypes to break down too; that you had to be a certain shape or size to be able to play.
“Thankfully, we’ve seen the profile of women’s rugby grow – the number of girls in the game has skyrocketed,” says Georgie. “The success of women’s football has really helped. Women’s rugby is in the mainstream media now, and PWR and the World Cup competition are increasing exposure, with matches televised. At Sale Sharks, the men and the women all train under the same roof, and together. Everyone is treated the same, and I feel we should never underestimate the importance of male allies. It has a powerful impact when high-profile players endorse the women’s game and is an important catapult that’s often missed.”
Shaping the present and the future
Having the right supporting policies and practices in place can make a huge difference, both on and off the pitch. “Wates’ maternity and flexible working policies are outstanding and help attract more women into the business,” says Kerry.
It’s happening in the rugby world too, fuelled by the number of women in influential roles in clubs and the work of PWR. “Our club co-owner, Michelle Orange, sits on the PWR board and it’s superb to see women who run clubs leading the way at a high level – it makes a massive difference,” says Georgie.
Encouraging the next generation is something both Georgie and Kerry feel strongly about. Georgie regularly tours local schools and youth clubs with her teammates as members of the Sale Sharks Foundation, encouraging young girls to take up the sport and advising the potential players of the future. “We’re fully aware that we are in a position to inspire upcoming talent.”
Kerry agrees. “Our trainee scheme is fantastic and is moving us in a really positive direction. We’re seeing more women at Wates, and what’s great is that they are choosing a much wider variety of roles now – design, project management, quantity surveying – the number of different disciplines and opportunities is phenomenal. Just like in rugby, you can find the position to match your talent.”
Georgie Perris-Redding, flanker for Sale Sharks and the USA
My career highlight: captaining Sale Sharks Women; our USA team beating Australia and qualifying for the World Cup.
I’m inspired by: my teammates. Together we’re trying to pave the way for more women to play rugby. The sport deserves it.
Advice you’d give to other women looking to play rugby: enjoy it, and be prepared to work hard.
A myth you’d like to bust: ‘You’re never gonna be as good as the guys!’
Kerry Barkworth, Senior Safety Health and Environment Advisor, Wates Smartspace
My career highlight: my work as a mental health first aider is really rewarding.
I’m inspired by: my manager – he’s mentored, challenged and supported me and women in our business who see opportunities for themselves and grab them.
Advice you’d give to other women looking to pursue a career in the industry: just try it – you might love it, like I do.
A myth you’d like to bust: ‘Construction is a man’s job’; yes, some people actually still think that.
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Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) and Wates Group announce official partnership
Wates and PWR are redefining what inclusion and equal opportunity looks like in both rugby and the built environment industry.
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