These musings on being inspired by the Women’s Rugby World Cup feature my regular collaboration with adidas.
There’s something about a big team sport tournament that grabs hold of us. The Women’s Rugby World Cup is one of those events, where passion, power, and togetherness take centre stage. You don’t have to understand every rule or know every player to feel the pull. Just a few minutes of match play and it’s easy to get swept up in the energy, the grit, the sheer joy of it all.
I’m not someone who watches sport on the telly every week – not even close. But when the big internationals like this one roll around, especially in the women’s game, I find myself leaning in. There’s a different kind of energy there. A sense of possibility. Of collective effort. Of stories unfolding in real time.
As a kid, I never said no to sport. If there was a team forming, I was in; netball, cricket, rugby, definitely rounders when the sun came out. Hockey was my favourite. The speed, the teamwork, the clatter of sticks and bursts of power up and down the field made me feel alive.
These days, my movement looks different. I’m not part of a team anymore, but I do find that same sense of purpose in hiking, running, and other solo adventures. Still, watching women play with heart and soul on the world stage stirs something familiar. It reminds me why movement matters, and why it’s worth showing up, even when it’s just me and the trail.
Team Sport Energy, Everyday Movement
Just like when the Olympics rolls around every four years, watching the World Cup has had me itching to get outside, to get fit, to move. Not to tackle anyone (be grateful…), but to feel that same sense of purpose and play. There’s something contagious about team sport energy – something joyful in watching people perform at the peak of their abilities, together.
It’s not that watching sport makes me feel like I should be exercising. It’s more that when I’m moving regularly – when I’m walking, hiking, running regularly – I find I enjoy the sport I watch more too. I connect with it differently. I notice the effort, the rhythm, the teamwork. It becomes less about spectating and more about feeling part of something.
Even if our preferred activities are more individual than one that requires rugby shoes, movement doesn’t have to be a solo pursuit. A walk with a friend, a shared run, even just chatting about a match with someone afterwards; these moments carry echoes of community. And when we’re inspired by what we’ve seen on screen, it can be the nudge we need to get outside and move in our own way.
With the Commonwealth Games on the horizon in Glasgow next year (who else is trying to get tickets?), this feels like a good time to build some sporting momentum. I haven’t been running since the Westonbirt 10k back in May – for reasons that are probably obvious – but maybe this rugby thing is my cue to get back out for a little jog. Just a short one, so I’ve made a bit of progress before the final rolls around. It might even make grabbing the popcorn and settling down for some armchair sport feel more satisfying.
Autumn Movement and the Power of Connection
There’s something about autumn that makes movement feel more intentional. The air shifts, the light fades earlier, and it becomes easier to stay indoors, to hibernate. But this is also when we need connection most. Time spent outside with others – whether it’s a muddy team sport, a shared walk, or just standing around with flasks after a game – grounds us. It reminds us we’re not alone in the darker months.
A team or group activity started in the autumn is a winter committed to movement. It’s a promise to keep showing up, even when it’s cold and damp and the sofa is calling. Whether it’s a weekly football match, a local hiking group, or a running club that meets rain or shine, there’s something comforting in the regularity of it. The knowing that someone else will be there. The shared movement, the sideline chats, the post-session flasks. It doesn’t have to be serious. Or competitive. It just has to be something that feels good enough to keep going back to.
You know I’m writing this as much for me as for you, right?! I mean, while I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll run my usual One Hour Outside November challenge this year (it might be too much, or it might be exactly what I need), I do know that the outdoors will still be there. Waiting. Welcoming. Offering space to breathe and belong.
Not Just Rugby—Team Sport in All Its Quirky Glory
You don’t have to stick to the pitch to feel the team spirit. My friend plays underwater rugby – yes, really. This is a full-contact sport played in a deep swimming pool, where players wear snorkels and fins and battle it out in three dimensions. Think rugby meets Quidditch, but underwater. There are clubs like PURE Underwater Rugby in London and the Gloucestershire Barracudas that welcome newcomers with open arms (and spare kit).
And it’s not just underwater rugby. Across the UK, you’ll find local clubs offering everything from netball and dodgeball to korfball and walking football. These aren’t just sports – they’re invitations to move, laugh, and connect.
If you’re looking for something even more offbeat, how about bog snorkelling (yes, it’s a thing), or the gloriously chaotic Haxey Hood game in Lincolnshire – a kind of rugby-meets-folklore scrum played every January (if you start now you’ll be ready…)? Or maybe Ultimate Frisbee, which is surprisingly energetic and often played in mixed-gender teams. There’s even handball and water polo if you fancy something fast-paced and indoors for the colder months.
Whether it’s a traditional team sport or a quirky group activity, there’s something about joining in, however casually, that brings a bit of warmth and rhythm to the season. And if you’re not sure where to start, your local leisure centre or community noticeboard is a great place to look. You never know what you might find.
How to Find Your Team Sport (Even If You’re Not Sporty)
If you’re curious to try something new this season, your local leisure centre is a great place to start. Many host sessions run by community clubs or offer taster events—whether you’re after something familiar like netball or something a little more niche like korfball or underwater rugby. You can also explore directories like:
- Sport Soup: Browse grassroots sports by location and type
- Everyone Active: Over 150 leisure centres offering team and individual sports
- Sport England: Tools and resources for sport and physical activity
Whether you’re looking for something structured or just a space to move with others, there’s likely a group near you ready to welcome you in.
And when the time comes to say yes to something new, whether it’s a muddy pitch session or a casual kickabout, having the right kit makes all the difference. I’ve been working with adidas again this month, and if rugby’s calling your name, now’s the moment to check out their latest rugby shoes. Because sometimes, all it takes is the right pair to help you step into something new.
Let’s Keep Each Other Moving
Whether you’re already part of a team, thinking about joining a group, or simply finding joy in watching others play with heart, I’d love to hear how you’re staying active this autumn. Maybe it’s a weekly walk with a friend, a return to a sport you used to love, or something that will make your friends wonder if you’re okay… Big tournaments like the Women’s Rugby World Cup (match schedule here) remind us that movement can be joyful, shared, and deeply motivating – even if we’re just jogging before the final or hiking with a flask in hand. Drop me a comment or message; let’s swap ideas and keep each other moving, even as the evenings draw in.
I am a member of the adidas blogger community. As part of this, I receive vouchers to spend on adidas gear of my choosing. Thanks adidas!
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