Debbie Skene, Director of Sport at Rugby School, has played a defining role in the growth and success of sport at the School, particularly girls’ sport. From introducing girls’ cricket in its earliest stages to overseeing programmes that now compete on national platforms, her leadership has helped transform opportunities for female athletes across Rugby.

A passionate sportswoman from an early age, Debbie’s journey has taken her from county and regional representation in netball and hockey to coaching at elite level, teaching internationally and ultimately becoming Director of Sport at Rugby. As Rugby School celebrates 50 years since girls first joined the School, Debbie reflects on her career, the evolution of girls’ sport, the people who shaped her journey and what it means to be part of such a significant chapter in Rugby’s history.

Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue a career as a teacher, and later a Director of Sport?

From an early age, sport was a huge part of my life. Whether it was swimming, judo, hockey, netball, basketball, or squash, I was always the first to sign up for any club I could join. At 14, I made the decision to move to John Cleveland College due to its outstanding sporting reputation, and it proved to be a defining moment in my journey.

There, I was fortunate to be guided by exceptional sports staff who inspired me to push my performance to the next level. I went on to represent Warwickshire in netball and Leicestershire in hockey, which led to selection for West Midlands Netball and East Midlands Hockey.

During my final year of A Levels, I was given the opportunity to coach the U15 netball team. Leading training sessions and matches, I helped guide the team to win both County and Regional tournaments, ultimately qualifying for the National Schools Tournament. It was at that point I realised my passion for coaching and knew I wanted to pursue it as a career.

In my first year at university, I was invited back to John Cleveland College to coach on their tour to Australia—an experience that further cemented my ambition to become a PE teacher.

After qualifying as a PE teacher in 2002, I worked at a state school in Warwick and later at an international school in Doha, Qatar. In 2009, after becoming a mother, I reduced my hours and took on a role as a science teacher at Thomas Estley Community College. However, my passion for coaching remained strong, and I supported the PE department in developing their netball programme.

This experience reminded me how much I missed coaching, which eventually led me to my role at Rugby School. While I never initially set out to become a Director of Sport, it is a position I now thoroughly enjoy and feel privileged to hold.

In your current role as Director of Sport, what do you enjoy most?

I thoroughly enjoy the wide range of sports I am involved in, from core activities such as netball, rugby, hockey and cricket, to more diverse opportunities including polo, clay pigeon shooting and golf. Working alongside such a dedicated and inspiring department is a real privilege. The staff bring energy and enthusiasm to every day, with a shared commitment to both coaching and continuous learning—constantly exchanging ideas and applying skills across different sports. Exercise is a powerful driver for releasing endorphins, and it is clear that this positive energy contributes to a genuinely happy and motivated team environment.

What was the biggest challenge you faced within your career – whether as teacher or in sport - and how did you overcome it?

One of my biggest challenges came when I was selected to play for the Birmingham Blaze Super League team during the same year I was completing my PGCE. Balancing full-time teaching in school, lesson planning, and university coursework alongside the demands of elite sport required a high level of discipline and organisation. My days began with early morning gym sessions, followed by school, then travel to team training three evenings a week, with matches taking place most weekends.

Fixtures were held across the country, meaning I could be in Newcastle one weekend and Bath the next. My schedule was planned down to the minute, leaving little time for anything else, and I often had to sacrifice my social life as a result.

At the time, netball was not a professional sport, so there was no financial support for playing. To help fund my involvement, I dedicated any remaining time to coaching. I was fortunate to work with the RAF national netball team alongside county academy programmes, which not only supported me financially but also further developed my coaching experience.

Are there any colleagues who had a lasting impact on you during your time here, and what are some of your favourite memories?

Peter Green has had a profound impact on my career, consistently supporting and believing in me throughout my journey to becoming Director of Sport. I will always be incredibly grateful for his encouragement and guidance.

I have so many special memories that I genuinely feel I could write a book. However, one that stands out is playing on The Close alongside a team of former international rugby players, including Gill Burns and Heather Fisher—an experience I never imagined I would have.

I also particularly loved 2023, celebrating 200 years of rugby. Being able to host, organise and be part of so many incredible events was truly special. We welcomed teams from across the country and around the world, and it was a privilege to see them experience the unique atmosphere and outstanding facilities of Rugby School—something we are fortunate to enjoy every day.

This year marks 50 years since girls joined Rugby School – an incredible milestone. Looking back, how have you seen the School change during your time here?

I am incredibly proud of the journey girls’ sport has taken since I joined Rugby School. In my first year, I introduced a girls’ cricket programme, working closely with Head of Cricket, Michael Powell. In its early stages, we could only field one team and struggled to secure fixtures. However, through perseverance and commitment, we established an annual fixture against Marlborough to mirror the boys’ programme.

Nine years on, the growth has been remarkable. We now field four girls’ cricket teams, and last year the programme reached three National finals, winning the U18 100-ball competition at Lord’s—a truly special achievement.

When I first arrived, girls were wearing sports kit designed for boys, often playing netball and hockey in rugby shirts. Through our partnership with Kukri, I introduced a new range of kit specifically designed for female athletes across hockey, netball, cricket and other sports. This was an important step in recognising and valuing girls as athletes.

Netball and hockey have also progressed significantly. The introduction of Friday Night Lights fixtures has provided a platform to showcase the girls’ athleticism and has helped build greater recognition and respect across the school. Today, girls’ sport holds equal value, with hockey competing at Tier 1 level and netball reaching three National finals.

Pathway representation has also grown significantly, with over 30 students now participating in regional and national development programmes, including England and Scotland cricket, England rugby, Birmingham Panthers netball, Talent Academy hockey, and county squads—a level of involvement that was rare just a decade ago.

This year, we will make history by sending three age groups of girls’ rugby teams to the Rosslyn Park National Sevens tournament. As the birthplace of the game, it is vital that we continue to pioneer opportunities for girls to play rugby, building on the legacy of the Red Roses’ World Cup victory and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.

This progress has been supported by the development of a strong staffing structure, including specialist roles such as Head of Girls’ Cricket, Head of Girls’ Hockey and Head of Netball, alongside a department that now has an equal balance of male and female staff.

What advice would you give to the girls currently at Rugby, or those thinking of joining?

Be confident in your own skin. Too often, girls are influenced by social media into thinking that everyone is judging them or that they have to look a certain way. At Rugby School, that simply isn’t the case—no one is judging you. Everyone is proud of you for being yourself, and we support each other’s journeys in both sport and education. I always tell the girls to “own it,” because people naturally admire those who carry themselves with confidence and authenticity.

Is there anything you wish you had known before joining the School?

I wish I had known about Rugby School when I was a student—the opportunities here are immense and truly life-changing. I am inspired every day by the students who flourish at Rugby School and beyond, including my own two children.

When I first joined Rugby School, I struggled with imposter syndrome, as many of my colleagues came from professional sports backgrounds. The reality is that this path simply didn’t exist in my day, but that doesn’t make me any less capable in my role. There are many different roads to any destination, and I have learned that hard work, resilience, and determination are what truly matter.

Thankfully, the landscape has changed, and women can now pursue careers as professional athletes. We are immensely proud to see our girls going on to earn contracts in cricket and netball, showing that dedication and opportunity can create extraordinary pathways.

What does it mean to you to be part of Rugby’s history, especially in this 50th anniversary year of girls at the school?

I am incredibly proud to be part of Rugby School’s history and to celebrate 50 years of girls at a school that has traditionally been male-dominated. I am equally humbled to work alongside so many inspiring female colleagues who have helped pave the way for girls to be recognised, respected, and supported equally.

Floreat Rugbeia!