End of Cycle for Jade Konkel and Scottish Women’s Rugby
A six-minute conversation was enough to end Jade Konkel’s 13-year career with the Scottish rugby team. Konkel’s situation, and that of many other players, reflects the instability that the Scotland women’s team experienced at the World Cup.
Of the 32 players called up for the World Cup, only 15 had contracts before the tournament began. The rest, including Konkel, were in a precarious situation. In the meeting with the Scottish Rugby Union, Konkel was informed that the decision not to renew her contract was based on her performance.
That was interesting, as I was the player of the season at Harlequins
Jade Konkel
Other factors, such as team depth and individual circumstances, were also mentioned. All this, summarized in six minutes, after 74 international matches. Konkel, who is also a firefighter, was the first professional women’s rugby player hired by Scotland in 2016.The Scotland Women’s Rugby World Cup ended in defeat. For some players, it meant the end of their international careers.
In her last match, Konkel demonstrated her commitment, prioritizing the collective good over her personal well-being. Although tears welled up after being substituted, those moments of reflection were overcome in favor of a greater legacy. Konkel used her last interviews as a Scottish player to send a message to the authorities.
It’s been a tough couple of months, with all of us receiving shocking news right before a World Cup, which isn’t the best preparation. There have been many small conversations, background noise, and the fact that we reached the quarter-finals is, I’m not going to lie, without the help of the SRU.
Jade Konkel
Scotland’s contractual disputes were a problem in their World Cup campaign. Captain Rachel Malcolm tried to put the issue aside to focus on the game, but it was a constant burden for the players. Some had job interviews during the tournament, looking for options after the World Cup.
The situation originated before the Six Nations. According to a source, the original idea was to resolve everything before the championship, but it was postponed. Ultimatum were issued, but in the end an agreement was reached to extend the contracts until the end of the World Cup. In 2022, 28 contracts were awarded. The exact number available this time is not clear. The players wanted the entire squad to be contracted, but only 15 received offers.
It was a total disaster.
Anonymous Source
The long-term hope is that the national team players will play in Scottish clubs. However, the format is not yet defined. Some players who live in England must move if they want a contract, but they have part-time jobs and mortgages, among other things. Coach Bryan Easson, who will leave his position after the World Cup, mentioned the importance of investing in the lower categories so that Scottish talent continues to grow.
In June, it was reported that only 15 of the 38 players in the training camp had received contract offers, and the players were suffering from their mental and emotional health due to the possible loss of their contracts.
In July, Malcolm stated that the preparation had not been ideal and had been very disruptive. The captain emphasized the need for the players to feel valued and belonging to the team.
Rhona Lloyd, who does have a contract, pointed out the pressure the players are under, not knowing if they will have a job in the coming months. Malcolm tried to put the contractual issue aside to focus on the tournament.In the field, Scotland had a crucial match against Wales, which they won 38-8. Then they beat Fiji 29-15 and put in a valiant effort against Canada, losing 40-19. Against England, whom they had lost to 27 consecutive times, they were considered the underdogs, losing 40-8.
Easson spoke about the team’s belief in being able to spring a surprise, but their attacking game was unstable. The match marked the end of an era, with some players playing their last match in a Scotland shirt. It is also expected that the foundations will be laid for future generations.
In his farewell press conference, Easson highlighted the importance of investing in the development of the players. It was emphasized that this is a crucial moment for Scottish women’s rugby, with Malcolm leading the team for the 53rd time, a historic record. The players seek for the federation to listen to their demands.
After the match, the players spoke to the press, expressing their desire to be supported and for their work to be respected. Konkel’s final message was clear: “Respect us. Know that this is a program to which we dedicate our lives.”
