Sene Naoupu: Ireland's Women's 15's could win a world cup in a few cycles...it will take time, energy, investment and belief
What A Woman PodcastShow Notes
Content Advisory - this podcast episode covers eating disorders
Sene Naoupu is a former Irish Women's Rugby Union International who earned 48 caps for Ireland before her retirement in 2022. She was a member of the team that won the 2015 Women's Six Nations Championship, she represented Ireland at the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup and she was also part of the Irish women's national rugby sevens team.
Sene is a Samoan New Zealander whose mother taught her to embrace the different cultures she was part of growing up and after emigrating to Ireland in 2009, she felt a strong connection with the people of Ireland and was proud to be accepted as one of their own when she became eligible to play for Ireland and made her debut in 2015.
This was something of a second chance for Sene who developed an eating disorder in her twenties which might have ended her dreams of a sporting career but she has bravely spoken about her recovery and is now a member of the board of Bodywhys, a nationwide Irish charity supporting people with eating disorders.
Sene has always felt a keen sense of service to others and giving back and along with her dedication to rugby on the pitch, she has worked just as hard off the pitch to promote equal opportunities in sport and she is frustrated to see the situation for the current Women's International Irish rugby team. Sene hopes that changes in leadership strategies and attitudes will allow the winning potential of the Irish Women's team to shine through.
We talk about:
- Why girls should give rugby a try (no pun intended!)
- Growing up embracing different cultures
- Experience and advice about eating disorders
- Proudest moments on the pitch
- The issues facing Irish Women's rugby and solutions
For further information and advise on eating disorders, please visit:
www.bodywhys.ie
Follow Sene:
@senenaoupu
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