Reports
Leading by Example: Zoe Aldcroft’s Quiet Leadership
08.10.25
Author: James Thomlinson
08.10.25
One week on from the Red Roses’ World Cup win, women’s rugby is still riding high.
The momentum hasn’t slowed – helped by today’s news that England star Ellie Kildunne has just been honoured with her own Barbie doll.
Over the weekend, I read a great piece in The Telegraph about England captain Zoe Aldcroft and her incredible journey – some leadership lessons here.
From being the only girl at Scarborough RUFC, tackling the boys when they wouldn’t tackle her, to lifting the Rugby World Cup as England captain, Zoe’s story is everything we love about sport: grit, humility, and quiet leadership.
What struck me most was that she’s never been one for the spotlight. When her mum put up a huge photo of her in the family café after Zoe won World Rugby Player of the Year, Zoe hated it and asked for it to be swapped for a signed shirt. She leads by example, not noise – and that makes her success all the more powerful.
Zoe’s career is a masterclass in consistency, resilience and purpose – the same qualities that drive the best businesses and leaders too. Whether you’re building a team, a brand, or a community, leadership isn’t about shouting the loudest; it’s about showing up, lifting others, and doing the hard work that few people see.
As women’s sport continues to rise, stories like Zoe’s matter – they inspire a generation not just to play, but to lead. That’s the football Euro’s and the rugby World Cup for England’s women, let’s hope the men follow suit next year in the football World Cup! 👀
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