Reds fan roaring for Red Roses
Growing up in Yorkshire, a young Liverpool-mad Ellie Kildunne would slick back her now distinctive mop of curly hair, playing homage to striker Fernando Torres and Sporty Spice.
She would run around the house clad head-to-toe in the kit of her footballing hero. now, she is
the one others look up to as a modern face of the red roses.
At 23, Kildunne has entered international rugby at just the right time. She is of a generation who are used to female players being professional. it wasn’t always the case.
Kildunne uses instagram and TikTok to connect with and inspire the next generation as she bids to help England seal world Cup glory in new Zealand.
‘i always knew i had something in me to be able to try to do something great and influence people,’ Kildunne tells Sportsmail. ‘i had that spark. Even at a very young age i wanted to shock everyone and show people who Ellie Kildunne is. it’s a fire in your belly you can’t describe but have to feel.
‘i remember someone saying to me at primary school, “Ellie i think you’re going to be famous when you’re older” and thinking then that other people think i’m destined for something.’
Torres and Liverpool inspired her sporting development and she was a good enough footballer to help Farsley FC beat Manchester City 4-1 at junior level.
nowadays, away from the rugby field, she likes to stand out from the crowd with bold clothes. on it, her bright orange boots certainly enable her to do just that.
‘i was the biggest Liverpool fan. My room was Liverpool-themed and i dressed in full Liverpool kit all the time,’ Kildunne added.
‘i say a big fat no to wearing them now! i like looking good-good. i’m confident in what i wear and look different from everyone else.
‘Sometimes i turn up in big parachute pants. But other times i might look like i’m about to go to the skatepark or i might be going as Sporty Spice! Your look is your first impression. if someone in the street says, “You look cool” that’s the biggest ego boost they could give me. if you’re confident in what you’re wearing, you’re confident in what you do.’
on the field Kildunne is a daring runner from full back, a handful for defences and a key part of a strong red roses side.
Currently she is ‘ living my dream’ at this world Cup as Simon Middleton’s team are two games away from glory. Canada are the semi-final opponents.
‘ it’s the business end,’ said Kildunne. ‘There are nerves but they’re not going to take over in a negative way. we’re ready to showcase that. You don’t want to show all yyour cards too soon.’ Kildunne’s rugby career began at woodhouse grove School. She ran rings around male opposition as part of the boys’ side. Kildunne was allowed to play down a year, but was soon too good.
‘There were a few complaints,’ said Kildunne. with a wicked
grin, she adds: ‘i had to stop but probably the best way to be told you can’t play any more is because you’re scoring too many tries!
‘Football has been critical to the player i am with my vision, my ability to kick the ball, and being aware of what’s around you.’
After coming through woodhouse grove and Keighley RFC, Kildunne struggled to find a girls team to continue her development. Aged 16, she moved south.
Leaving her family behind, she joined the rugby breeding ground that is Hartpury College and has never looked back. ‘ now i’m in new Zealand at a world Cup so i
guess it was the right decision,’ Kildunne smiled.
Her entertaining world Cup video diary — filmed with a handheld camera showing the squad’s life in new Zealand — has been popular on social media. ‘i try to be real to the girls and boys who message me,’ she adds. ‘it’s about finding what your love is and what puts fire in your belly and once you’ve got it, take a good grasp of it and go with it.
‘i had to move away from my parents when i was 16. i wouldn’t
be where i am today if i hadn’t made that decision.
‘if i can bring people on that journey with me or inspire people to pick up a rugby ball, then that’s great.
‘Maybe one day we won’t talk about women’s rugby or boys’ or girls’ teams at school. we’ll just talk about rugby.
‘we’ve all got the same shaped ball and the same rules. it’s so important to get more people involved in the sport.’
• FORMER cricketer Courtney winfield-Hill bowled Brazil over with a hat-trick at Headingley as England began their rugby League world Cup campaign in fine fashion win a 72-4 victory.
The Leeds rhinos star shone in front of 8,621 fans at her home ground yesterday. Amy Hardcastle also bagged a hat-trick.