Talent Transformed

The Unlocked graduates are a hugely impressive cohort, and have clearly all learned from each other as well as their mentors, and their enthusiasm for the project really does shine through. And another thing they’ve all loved is being featured in the illustrations created for Glorious by Esme Harvey-Otway. “When creating this series of illustrations, I always started by getting a feel for who each athlete was and their personality by looking at the photographs. It was good to have a range of images that weren’t only of the athletes in action, but showed other facets of their personality. From there I would build up the layers and textures to create a background, picking out colours from their kit but always keeping it vibrant to reflect the athletes’ inspiring stories.”

That process has really resonated with the athletes themselves. “They were incredible,” says Nabila Tejpar. “They really captured the essence of empowering women and showing women in sport in such a great light.” Shaunagh Brown agrees. “They are unique and full of colour smash – taking ordinary photos, making them a lot more vibrant and a greater reflection of me.” All the athletes talk about how they truly reflect the joy and positivity in women’s sport – Lauren Rowles has even framed hers in her medal cabinet.

Indeed, Mhairi Maclennan is another Unlocked athlete whose interests and passions are far wider than the sport she excels at. Sure, she’s put in some impressive 5 and 10k performances this year, but she’s also continued to advocate for better policies to protect women in all sports. In fact, she’s also recruited not just Sarah but many of the athletes on the programme as Kyniska ambassadors. And the Women’s Sport Trust is continuing to support her as she gets her teeth into the sharp end of policy making – and looks for opportunities to really influence decision makers. Her activator, Katie Sadlier, who was recently appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, has thoroughly enjoyed the process too. “Mhairi has been a delight to work with” she says. “She’s got a huge career ahead of her and has already achieved some pretty big wins. The programme really brings together a mixture of talent and experience, which creates a unique formula to future proof and further unlock leadership potential.”

Shanaugh Brown has also had a fantastic year. On the pitch, she won the Premier 15s Final in May 2021 with Harlequins – and after the game, gave a passionate interview calling out anyone who said women’s rugby wasn’t good enough. “This is what rugby should be week in, week out, men or women’s. We are here and I challenge anyone who thinks women’s rugby isn’t good enough or women aren’t good enough, because we are.” Being part of Unlocked surely helped her build the confidence to put that message out there.

Just hours after that game, she was lugging a bag of rugby balls across a pitch in Tunbridge Wells, where she spent the day leading a group of 11 year old girls. When Brown says she wants to inspire girls, there is absolutely nothing empty about her talk. At the Women’s Sport Trust, she’s worked with her activator, Lisa Pearce, CEO of British Wheelchair Basketball, on how she can give back to the rugby community. “I’ve really enjoyed the process, being able to support Shaunagh to achieve her ambitions,” says Lisa. “Her motivation, drive and ability is incredible, she’s a woman who is already changing the face of women’s rugby. Watch this space, as the sky’s the limit for her!” Indeed, Shaunagh has recently been appointed as a Trustee to the Student Rugby Football Union, and been made a part of the Women’s Lions steering group. She’s soon going to need another page on her already impressive CV.