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In honour of International Women’s Day, Kukri Sports is proud to honour the strength, resilience and determination of female athletes from a variety of sports.
This year, we highlight the inspiring journeys of women who have broken barriers and continue to lead the way for future generations.
Andrea Wing-Yan Leung
Women’s rugby player, Valley RFC Women’s team
Andrea Wing-Yan Leung, a dedicated rugby player for Valley RFC, reflects on her journey in the sport, from playing basketball as a teenager to becoming a Premiership-level winning athlete and a role model for young women in the sport.
“It means honour, cherishment and humility to me to represent my team,” she says.
“I am forever thankful to be able to play sport as a female. However, there are still women out there who may not have a chance to play sports or receive an education.
“For 20 years, my parent’s didn’t support me playing rugby – they saw it as a ‘men’s sport’. But I never gave up. Last season, my dad and brother finally came to watch me play in the Grand Championship final. We won, and I got to show them the trophy.”
Ellie Stevens
North America Running Ambassador
Ellie Stevens, a trailblazer in long-distance running, celebrates the visibility and opportunities that women in endurance sports have gained over recent years.
“International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we can go in empowering women in sports,” she states.
Despite overcoming barriers such as facing chronic fatigue throughout her career, Ellie has proved that resilience is key. “Your struggles do not define you – your resilience does. No setback is permanent. Believe in yourself, be patient and take it one step at a time.”
Claire Dowey
NI Volleyball Women’s team player
For Claire Dowey, a veteran volleyball player and captain of Northern Ireland’s women’s team, International Women’s Day is about celebrating the growing participation of women in sport.
Claire’s experience as a mother and high-level athlete has been a balancing act, but she finds strength in showing her son the value of hard work.
“I want them to see that you can have the lows that sport sometimes brings and still bounce back. You can have your family and still play on,” Claire says.
“I truly believe I became a better player, especially mentally, after becoming a mum.“
Ahead of competing in the St. Patrick’s Challenge on 15 March, Claire was pleased to see how much the sport has grown. “It has been exciting to see the number of girls now playing volleyball increase over the years.
“We are gradually securing more funding which is what is going to really support our female athletes to enable them to have access to great training, high-quality kit and elite programmes.”
Izzy Songhurst
Trampoline Gymnast, British Gymnastics
Izzy Songhurst, and two-time Ladies British champion who made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, shares her thoughts on overcoming body stereotypes and embracing her strength as a gymnast.
“I have overcome it by doing a lot of work on my psychology, being confident in my body’s ability to execute what I’m asking it to do which has helped me a lot in my performance,” she explains.
“For me, it was about finding a way and trying to be really confident in myself and to remember that it is always enough.”
Chloe Andrews
Rugby player, Dubai College Women’s team
As a young female rugby player, Chloe Andrews is passionate about making the sport more inclusive for girls of all ages.
“Rugby at first can seem very intimidating, but it’s a game of resilience, teamwork and confidence,” she shares.
“As a young woman, I’ve learned that sport is not just physical strength, but mental strength and the ability to lead.
“I feel incredibly proud to be part of the newly growing women’s rugby community. It motivates me to be a role model for younger girls, showing them that rugby and any sport in general can be played by everyone.”
Kukri’s Commitment to Women in Sport
At Kukri, we are proud to support women in sport around the world, empowering them to break barriers and unlock their full potential.
By providing high-performance kit and additional off-field support, we are dedicated to helping female athletes feel confident, embrace their strength, and pursue their dreams.
Together, we celebrate women’s achievements and strive to ensure there are no limits to greatness.