As Black History Month begins, the World Rugby Hall of Famer discusses her unconventional upbringing, rugby, racism and looking to the future
In her playing days, Maggie Alphonsi smashed through every obstacle that stood in her way.
She was fearless, committed and like all good No 7s was always one step ahead of the game. Those same attributes have served her pretty well in life too.
It is why when you ask somebody to name a female rugby player it is nearly always Maggie that comes to mind - despite having been retired since 2014.
Alphonsi's childhood was far from conventional as she was in and out of hospital as a young girl after being born with a club foot. It might have floored a few, especially someone who was desperate to be tearing around even as a toddler, but Alphonsi just cracked on with it - it was going to take more than that to slow this girl down even then.
She grew up on a council estate in Lewisham in a single-parent family. And while there were some around her who lacked aspiration and drive, Alphonsi attributes her doggedness and bulldog spirit to those early years.
Alphonsi made her England debut at inside centre in 2003 at the age of 19 but she had to wait another agonising year to play for England again because of severe injuries. All of which helped mould her, but it was only when she stopped playing that she really appreciated it.
"When I look back I didn't realise they were challenges at the time, I just got on with it. Often the key to successful athletes is not realising what they had to overcome, it's when you stop and look at the path. They think 'wow I had many barriers I am so pleased I got through it'. Many would have stopped and taken a different path." ฟันธงบอล
The women's game is certainly thankful Alphonsi found her way to Cockfosters and Saracens training ground that day. Eye-catching and technically brilliant performances during the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2010, hosted in England, earned her the nickname 'Maggie the Machine'.