Cowell thriving in the rough and tumble of rugby
Former gymnast is now shining as Quins wing and tells Jake Goodwill her England ambition
Few can claim to have represented Great Britain at a World Championships, be a junior world champion tumbler and a star of Harlequins rugby. Heather Cowell has transitioned from the world of tumbling into the world of rugby seamlessly, now established as one of the leading wingers in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
It turns out the skill of performing flips at high velocity and scoring tries go rather well together, as Cowell’s sublime solo try for Harlequins in their victory over Darlington Mowden Park Sharks last weekend demonstrated. Cowell gathered the ball outside the 22 and sidestepped two defenders before spinning around the final would-be tackler to dot down in the corner.
“I don’t need to flip in rugby but the finishing ability, the power going into contact and the control of your limbs is related,” she says.
The 23-year-old won gold in tumbling at the Junior World Championships in 2013 before competing in the World Championships in 2014. “I fell out of love with gymnastics. Tumbling isn’t in the Olympics so there was nowhere to go except the World Championships and I had done that.”
Cowell was no stranger to rugby when she decided to give it a go at Birmingham University in 2015, going on to represent Worcester in her final year. A Twickenham native, rugby had been an everpresent backdrop. Little did she know it was going to become centre stage. On graduating with a degree in mathematics and sport science, a return to London beckoned.
Cowell first represented her local side Harlequins in 2017 but left to go travelling. On returning in 2018, Cowell decided to give rugby more of her attention – a decision that has been justified following an excellent showing last season and a blistering start to this campaign.
Harlequins are increasingly professional, with a full-time programme. But for players such as Cowell who are not professionally contracted to an international side, time is split between work and rugby. In her case, completing a training contract at an accountancy firm. “The set-up at Harlequins is amazing. There is so much support: nutritional, strength and conditioning, analysis, psychology.
“I now work four days a week so I’m at rugby training on Tuesdays. My employers are fully supportive. I took a pay cut to do that – but that was my choice.”
The day Cowell has taken off work is to focus on her career and rugby development – those cannot be the same thing right now. The contrast between the male and female club game could not be any closer to home. Her twin brother, Cameron, is a professional who has represented England Sevens and plays for Doncaster Knights.
“You could look at it as he gets paid x amount to play rugby because he’s a boy. But equally, I have the ability to play Premiership rugby and get my accountancy qualifications so if I break my leg or my career finishes I will be ready.”
The clearest path to becoming professional is by being awarded a full-time contract with England, which means breaking into the country’s top 28 players. But the winger is confident the club game will become professional within her career span. “It would be awesome for there to be more professional sportswomen and that is the goal. But right now, England is my aim.”
Playing for Harlequins is a good start. The London side have established themselves as one of the leading teams in the Tyrrells Premier 15s alongside Saracens.
Harlequins have won all their matches this season, with bonuspoint victories putting them top of the table. A stern test awaits today from Bristol Bears, who have had a solid start to the season, winning two of their opening four matches.
“Bristol are a really good side,” says Cowell. “We’ll come out fighting like we have every game but it’ll be tough.”
A victory would put Harlequins in prime position to make the play-offs again. Having lost to Saracens in the previous two finals, would beating Saracens be the dream way to win it? “Yes. 100 per cent. I mean, if we win the final, I don’t care who against really.”