Having been one of the founder members of Bath Ladies, in February 2008 Tamara was playing for the team when she sustained a spinal cord injury.
The rugby family were quick to offer support, Steve Borthwick, now England head coach, visiting her in hospital with other Bath players. The men’s and ladies teams had some cross-over then, and both Tamara and Steve were studying at Bath University.
“My injury was a freak accident,” says Tamara. “Playing eight, I picked up the ball from the back of a scrum, did a squeeze ball, got twisted around backwards and sideways and then had a ruck on top of me. One of the Kiwi support staff told me later he’d never heard of an injury like it.
“That's one of the great things about the IPF, they are working to reduce catastrophic injuries in rugby, to change Laws where needed. They’re always working to say, ‘what do we need to tweak, what can we change?’ to make the game as safe as possible.
“Their immediate support after a catastrophic injury makes a huge difference. I was flown to hospital, operated on later that day, and the IPF were there the next. I was still on morphine, but it was really good for them to be there and, later on, I started to appreciate what was happening, how one of their welfare officers was there talking to family, friends, teammates, saying ‘How can we be there for you?’
“They've been there for me from day one. They always try to make sure, if you need to stay in hospital and your home needs adapting, that they work out what's good for you. They ask what you need and listen so that they can help. If you want to do some sort of education, or something a bit different, they just listen and find a way. They're not fitting their ideas onto your life but finding out what you need.”
Now living in Salisbury, Tamara moved to be closer to family and more involved with family life. Thanks to the IPF her house has now been adapted, with ramps, wider doors, walls removed to install and wet room, a kitchen extension built housing her exercise equipment and giving easy access to the garden where raised beds allow her to plant vegetables.
She had a three-year part time Biblical Counselling course funded and now helps with pastoral care at her church, as well as devoting time to Project Manna, a not-for-profit organisation run by her sister and brother-in-law, where on five acres of land they use horticultural projects to engage children and support adults with life impacting difficulties. She’s also increasingly involved in a UK charity Tikvah Trust who use sustainable farming to help poor and marginalised communities in South East Asia.
And she’s very much part of the IPF team, supporting their research projects, going on three IPF ski courses in Andorra as part of the Engage Programme, joining IPF regional lunches at the Rec and international matches in the IPF hospitality box, where she caught up with Steve Borthwick at the Red Roses’ world cup final win. She’s looking forward to being at Allianz Stadium to watch the Red Roses play the Black Ferns and was at the England Rugby pitchside summer BBQ in support of the IPF.
The Engage Programme helps players rebuild confidence and independence while challenging themselves in a safe and supported environment. Activities include disabled golf events, accessible ski courses, adapted watersports and outward bounds courses for members and their families.
Tamara has enjoyed skiing and says: “It's lovely out there with such a great team of support staff. Some people are coming from quite tough times, and you can listen, share stories, techniques, and tips. It’s great that those of us having a good time in life right now can support those that aren't, and it's a good place to just step away from whatever's going on and be refreshed.
“I've loved skiing since I first tried it. It’s great to be free, enjoy the speed, the views. The instructor working with me was fantastic, and when you get a bit of a run where it's really smooth, and you're making nice turns, everything feels good. We were in a team environment encouraging one another. Feeling that support is really wonderful.”
There’s also the chance to attend Premiership matches “I went to Bath v Bristol with the IPF,” says Tamara. “Having played for the Bath Ladies, it's always nice to go back to the Rec. I took my four-year-old nephew for his first rugby game. Now he thinks rugby is amazing, all this great food and chocolate profiteroles. He could clap and shout and make loads of noise, so he had a whale of a time.
“Watching the Red Roses in the IPF Box it's great to be able to join other injured players and share stories. Some people in the box are fairly newly injured. One particular lady found it so encouraging to see others getting on with life, realising that life's not over. there's so much that you can do. Being there for her was fantastic as she managed to watch the game and appreciated just being in a team environment again.”
“The IPF gives us that camaraderie, just as a rugby team does. It’s a small charity and they don't waste money. It's really well targeted towards supporting people who’ve been thrown a curveball and can feel like their lives have been wrecked. The IPF step in at a time when people are at their lowest, and they really make a difference, helping you rebuild.”
