Gill Bourke was a Six Nations Grand Slam winner with Ireland, but it is Rugby Australia who will benefit from her participation in the Gallagher High Performance Academy (GHPA) programme at RWC 2025.
Gill played in two Women’s Rugby World Cups and won 51 caps in a seven-year international career, before she retired and moved into coaching.
Having studied sports science at the University of Limerick, Gill always had an eye for technical detail – something she now uses to help improve the current generation of players, as a high performance analyst with Rugby Australia and coaching roles with NSW Waratahs Women and in Sydney’s Jack Scott Cup competition .
Gill was previously on the GHPA WXV 2024 programme, and spent five weeks with the Wallaroos – Australia’s national women’s team – working under their English head coach, Jo Yapp, in the build-up to and during the WXV 2024 tournament in South Africa.
“Jo integrated me without hesitation, and treated me as one of the coaches and not an intern,” Gill told World Rugby.
“She gave me the responsibility of focusing on and coaching the breakdown, which was a significant opportunity for growth.
“Working under a female coach was truly inspiring. Her thoughtful actions and dedication demonstrated why she is such an inspiration to so many, including myself.”
Gill also worked closely with her mentor, Mat Wilke, while on the GPHA, helping her to grow as a coach and a person.
“The programme has been a transformative experience, offering me the opportunity to grow, learn and contribute within a high performance environment,” Gill said.
“Over the five weeks, I was fully integrated into a high performance coaching environment, gaining first-hand insight into what it takes to coach at the highest level.
“I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of this journey which has challenged and inspired me in countless ways.
“This experience reinforced my belief in the power of connection, culture and authenticity as the driving forces behind success. It highlighted the importance of relationships, cultivating a strong team environment and staying true to your own values and identity as a coach.
“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to World Rugby, Gallagher, Rugby Australia, my mentors and the entire team for this incredible opportunity. Your support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my journey.
“The programme has only strengthened my passion for coaching at the highest level, and I’m excited to carry these lessons forward into Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond.”
