RAF And Rugby

Órla Proctor, Scotland

“See It. Believe It.” is a powerful storytelling campaign, launched in partnership with Vodafone, that inspires new audiences to watch women’s rugby by challenging the perceptions that exist around the game, and celebrating the sport. In a landmark year for the women’s game, these stories showcase the skill, physicality, and competitiveness that define the sport through the eyes of elite players, pathway players, and fans.

Órla, 22, balances work as a Corporal in the Royal Air Force Police with being a rising star for Harlequins Women and the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) teams. Supported by lead UKAF partner Vodafone, she is helping to grow the game while inspiring the next generation.

My name is Órla Proctor and I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in Stirlingshire, Scotland, where I first started playing rugby for Stirling County.

I went from starting rugby at eight years old to playing for Scotland Under 18s as well as training with the senior squad. After a two-year break, in part due to the pandemic, I picked it back up when I joined the RAF, where I now work as a Corporal in the Royal Air Force.

Thanks to my performances for the RAF and UKAF teams, I was scouted by Leicester Tigers in 2023, which was surreal as I had thought my chance to play professionally was gone. My career in the RAF has seen me involved in operations and exercises around the world, but I have now taken on a role that allows me to stay in the UK. This lets me keep playing rugby while focusing more on planning operations.

I was excited to join Harlequins Women last year, and with the momentum from the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and the excitement ahead of a home tournament coming up this summer, there is a real buzz around the sport.

Part Of Something Bigger

One of my proudest moments was earning my first RAF cap, where I scored a try against Bristol Bears. That game opened so many doors for me. Running onto the field, hearing the crowd, and knowing my family was watching is something I will always remember.

After matches, it is always special to meet the young girls who say they want to play rugby because they saw us. That sticks with me. Knowing we are part of something bigger than the game is incredibly powerful.

Supporting The Women’s Game

Vodafone has been supporting UKAF for years, and their tools and apps have genuinely helped us train better and improve as a team.

At UKAF, we use Vodafone’s PLAYER.Connect app, which has become a key part of our daily routine. Every day, we log things like how tired we feel, how well we are recovering, and how ready our bodies are to train. That info helps our coaches and medical staff tailor everything to fit our needs. Some of the best features are made specifically for women, like menstrual cycle tracking, which helps us understand how our bodies react differently throughout the month. It has been a massive step forward in putting female athlete health first.

Vodafone’s support has honestly changed things for our women’s rugby team.

Through the partnership, we have now got our own kit that has been designed for us, made to fit, and reps their logo. It has helped us feel seen, valued, and more professional. We would not be where we are without them.

The Grind

Balancing rugby and work is not easy, and I lean heavily on support from my club and my boss. The days are long, and it often feels like a constant grind, whether I am fighting for a starting spot or pushing for the next step in my career.

At Premiership level, you have to be all in, all the time. That is tough when some players, like me, are also juggling jobs. Staying organised is what keeps me sane - meal prepping, having kit ready for the week, all those small things make a huge difference.

I work extra hard to make sure my absence is not felt, so I am at 110% from the moment I wake up to the second I crash at night. I just want to give my best, on and off the field.

Breaking Down Biases

One of the biggest misconceptions women’s rugby faces is that it is somehow less intense or skilled than the men’s game. This comes from a history of limited visibility and lack of investment in the women’s game.

We have come a long way in the last decade, with more professional contracts, stronger club support, and full-time training.

However, we need more media coverage, better funding, and campaigns like Vodafone’s See It. Believe It., which highlight the talent, personalities and inspiring stories in the women’s game.

When people watch women’s rugby, they see physicality, skill, and passion. The more people watch, the more misconceptions begin to break down.

“You don’t look like a rugby player” is something I have heard a lot. But rugby players come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Strength and femininity can go hand-in-hand.

I hope that one day women’s rugby is not seen as “growing,” but just as “rugby” - respected and celebrated on its own terms.