A girls’ rugby team recently welcomed Olympic GB Rugby 7s star Ellie Boatman and body coach Elle Mace for an insightful session on food, body image and self-nutrition within sport.
The duo visited the Melksham Fawns girls’ rugby team, where they shared their struggles with eating disorders during their childhoods, the impacts these had on their bodies and minds at the time, and how they overcame these challenges to excel in their respective professional careers.
Ellie Boatman emphasised the importance of nutrition, saying, “It is crucial from a young age to understand how important food and fuel are for rugby. I’ve learnt this the hard way myself. As a professional rugby player, I believe it is vital to share this knowledge with younger players so they can effectively fuel themselves for sport.”
Elle Mace added, “Poor body image and disordered eating can begin as early as ten years old or even younger, so it is essential to address these issues as early as possible. Every child develops a body image, and we should encourage a positive mindset around it.”
Dave Fielding, head coach of Melksham Fawns, praised the session, stating, “Their talk was highly interactive and opened the girls’ eyes to important topics such as body image, self-worth, confidence and the effects of eating disorders. They also provided valuable insights on how to fuel properly for sports, discussing the types of food to consume and when to eat in preparation for games and training. Some parents picked up useful tips too.”
