Master and apprentice inspire Red Roses charge
Danielle Waterman and Ellie Kildunne are 15 years apart in age but bonded by a love of rugby
When England full-back Danielle Waterman ran on to the old Thomond Park to make her Test debut against Ireland in the 2003 Women’s Six Nations, a three-yearold Ellie Kildunne was toddling about in Yorkshire. Tomorrow, and by now close friends, the pair begin England’s Grand Slam title defence, Waterman on the wing and Kildunne at full-back.
There might be 15 years between them, but there is symmetry between their careers. Waterman is England Women’s longest-serving player with 77 caps but, like Kildunne, was still in school studying during her first season as an England international. After that, their paths diverge: Waterman’s first game was marked by a party in Limerick to celebrate a Six Nations Grand Slam; after Kildunne’s debut, her mother was by the side of the pitch to hand over some homework.
There is a contrast, too, in their routes into the sport. Waterman, whose father Jim made more than 450 appearances for Bath, was unaware of women’s rugby until she learnt about the South-west girls’ trials as a 14-year-old.
“I had the dream to play for England but when I was little I thought I would play for the men’s team because I always played with the boys,” she says. “My feeling was, ‘Why not play for the England men?’ As I grew up I started to realise that probably wouldn’t be the case …”
For Kildunne it was different. She had the 2014 World Cup-winning England side, including Waterman, for inspiration and admits to being star-struck. “When I am sat next to Nolli [Waterman’s nickname] now, I am still a bit, ‘Oh my God, it’s her!’”
Without knowing it, Kildunne had been on Waterman’s radar before the two met at England training. Michaela Staniford, the former England international and friend of Waterman, was coaching the England Under-18 women’s sevens side that became European champions in France last September. Waterman was catching up with her old team-mate at the tournament where Kildunne was one of the stars.
“I had the privilege of watching Ellie and she stood out as a real superstar,” Waterman says. “I knew she would be coming in hot on my heels having seen her.”
Rivals they may be, but there is a sense of kinship between them. Waterman’s status as a mentor is helpful for Kildunne, who has been coping with the stress of leaving home – she moved from Keighley in Yorkshire to Gloucestershire’s Hartpury College for the beginning of this school year – as well as all the tribulations reserved for elite international athletes. Having previously worked at Hartpury and with her own experiences, Waterman is sympathetic.
“It is such a difficult time as a young person, let alone fitting in senior international sport, so it has been good to help out Ellie and encourage her to make sure she is doing her work,” she says.
“Based on my mistakes I can help her. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform from a young age because I was continually told I was a good player and I had a huge opportunity ahead of me. I always
‘When I am sat next to Danielle now, I am still a bit – oh my God, it’s her!’
felt like everything had to be brilliant and that is not the way sport goes. I would probably say enjoy and relish every opportunity but don’t put the pressure on yourself because it is unnecessary.”
Kildunne is absorbing every word. “I do feel the pressure and stress in the way Nolli says. I don’t want to disappoint other people, and I don’t want to disappoint myself because, ultimately, I want to be the best player. When I feel like I haven’t performed then I put the pressure on and I can’t stop wondering why and try to work out why I need to change.”
Despite England XVS players not being professionally contracted, the Rugby Football Union became the first union to offer a match fee and compensation for training time to players last autumn. Kildunne will be part of a generation of female players that will be paid to play, whereas when Waterman first played for the Red Roses she had to pay to participate in training camps.
“It is so exciting to look at what has happened in my 15-year career so far, and what could potentially happen with Ellie and the opportunities in the sevens game as well,” she says.
“People ask how I stay driven, but it’s down to players like Ellie, and seeing how good women’s rugby has become.”
There can be no better compliment from the master to the apprentice. Italy v England tomorrow, 5.30pm (Sky Sports)