About M-M Academy | More Than a Rugby Club

our why's

Ellie's Why

I first picked up a rugby ball at nine years old with the boys at Kingswood RFC, and I never looked back. Rugby quickly became a huge part of my life, giving me purpose and direction from an early age.

I’m severely dyslexic, and school was something I always found difficult. Rugby gave me something I could throw myself into completely. It gave me confidence, and somewhere I felt I could succeed. Eighteen years later, I feel incredibly fortunate that rugby continues to bring so much positivity into my life. Many of the best opportunities, friendships, and experiences I’ve had have come through the game. Rugby has shaped who I am as a person, and it even led me to meeting my wife, which is something I will always be grateful for.

Growing up, I was lucky to have a fantastic support network, with my mum at the heart of it. Raised by a single parent in a council house in Kingswood, where money was often tight, I was also fortunate to be surrounded by a rugby family who, alongside my mum, helped keep me involved in the sport.

Those experiences have shaped my belief that every young player deserves that same sense of belonging and support. It’s vital that we create environments where players feel valued, encouraged, and inspired to develop. By helping young people build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for the adult game, we can keep more people involved in rugby for longer and give them the opportunity to find their own purpose, achieve their potential, and experience everything our wonderful sport has to offer.

Row's Why

Taking up rugby at college was the best decision I have ever made. It has given me opportunities to travel the world, play alongside and against some of the best players in the game, and build lifelong friendships. It even led me to meeting my wife.

Growing up, rugby was something I knew very little about. I had never played it or even watched it, but stepping outside of my comfort zone completely changed my life.

Now, I want to give back to the community that has invested so much in me—always supporting me, backing me, and cheering me on throughout my journey. When I arrived at Bristol Bears as a 17-year-old, I didn’t see many people who looked like me. Rather than letting that discourage me, it motivated me to become someone younger players could look up to and see that they, too, could achieve the same things.

I’m all about enjoying life and making the most of every opportunity, and that mindset is reflected in both the way I play and the way I live. You can be ambitious, passionate, and determined to achieve big things while still staying true to yourself. For me, that’s what rugby has always been about.