In our series, Behind the Player in association with Deloitte, Ulster’s Women players share a little bit about themselves, as well as recommendations for coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This week, we spoke to Old Belvedere and Ulster's Jemma Jackson about her playing and coaching pathway, the barriers she has overcome, and what has been keeping her motivated during this time.
Tell us a little about your rugby pathway to date.
My pathway is a little different from other girls’ journeys. I was thrown in at Banbridge Rugby Club at age seven. I remember walking out onto the pitch seeing who I thought was this scary man, when in actual fact he was the most pleasant man. He taught me everything I know; his name is Alan Dunwoody and he’s still coaching today at the club. It was there that I went through the minis up until first year. After that, I had to stop playing because there was no underage girls’ setup then. It’s crazy to believe that 12 years ago, there wasn’t the pathway for girls that there is today. It just shows the growth there is in Ulster and other provinces for girls’ rugby.
At the age of 12, I stopped playing rugby and played any sport I could up until the age of 18. I wanted to apply for Queen’s University to study and I realised there was a women’s rugby team there, so I got in touch with the coach, who was a family friend – Gareth Brunty – and I went along to play for Queen’s while still studying for my A-Levels. I got in with a great bunch of girls and I played there until I was 21 when I graduated in 2016. I loved it there; I grew as a player and found my position and made great friends I still have today. It was Queen’s that gave me that love for the game, love for the community, and the friendships that you make within rugby.
When I got my call-up to the Ulster senior squad, it was fantastic as it was always a dream of mine to play for Ulster. I watched the 1999 Champions Cup final that Ulster won and saw David Humphreys kick the winning three points and I just said to my dad, “I want to play rugby!”. I was only five years old then but I decided then that I wanted to play. When I got the call-up to the senior squad, I was a bit scared because I was one of the youngest players and Benjy [van der Byl] was the coach at that time. Anyone who knows Benjy’s style of coaching, it’s just 'get up and get on with it', and I learned pretty quickly how to take the hit and make the hit, how to kick and pass, and how to play rugby better. I got my first cap in 2013 and I’ve played ever since so this is going to be my seventh year playing for Ulster Rugby senior women. It’s quite an impressive number of years to be serving - and I know there are many girls who have served longer – but now I’m part of the 'seniors' in the squad which is a little scary with younger players looking up to me.
I moved to Cooke to play in the All-Ireland League; that was my first taste of it all. Then a couple of years ago, I moved to Old Belvedere to join my buddy, Kathryn Dane. We’ve played together for five or six years in the Ulster squad and I really wanted to continue that in club rugby with her and to learn from some of the great coaches there. My club rugby might not be in Ulster, but I’m still a very proud Ulster player and Ulster girl.
I’ve been involved with the Ulster U18 girls’ coaching set-up and was part of the coaching team the year they won the Grand Slam. Being part of that journey is great; it makes me feel a little older than I am in terms of my playing career but it’s fantastic to have that young experience in the Ulster squad and the push they give you to keep on top of your game.
Who have been the main influences in your rugby career?
I have to say my dad. He’s my biggest critic and my biggest fan. He will tell you even if you’ve had the best game of your life, what you need to improve. My dad has always kept me grounded but will also build me back up when I need it.
In terms of coaches, Derek Suffern, the Ulster women’s coach - I have learned tonnes from him in terms of game management and control. I’ve learned a lot of character from him; how to have that resilience as a player and how to have a calm head as a half-back. 'Suff' has taught me a lot.
My biggest influences more recently have been my club coaches – Maz Reilly and Nora Stapleton at Old Belvedere. The 1-1 coaching they do with us in terms of off-field and emotional support is so good. It’s something that as a female rugby player, you can get so caught-up in the career, family life, relationships and everything that is going on, sometimes rugby can become affected by that. Our coaches really check-in on us and give us the support that is so important to us. I’ve learned so much from Nora and Maz about how to look after my mental health which helps my performance on the pitch. Also, the individual skills I’ve learned while playing alongside Nora and having hear coach me has been phenomenal. She highlights the little things that you would never think of and when you demonstrate them, you reap the rewards from them.
What barriers have you had to overcome to reach this point?
At university, when all the other girls getting ready to go out and they had this “oh, she plays rugby” judgement of me. It was quite an obstacle for me to overcome my own insecurities as a female – should I look a certain way? Is rugby a 'manly' sport? Should I not play it? I guess overcoming those thoughts was quite tough. It was through the support and the friendships I had in my rugby team and at Ulster that I was able to overcome those insecurities.
What have you been up to in the last couple of months since the onset of COVID-19?
The whole world tipped upside-down and we as a business had to think outside the box on how to survive. I was fortunate that we were able to move online quickly. I work in a gym and I am a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I also coach rugby in schools. The schools closed first, so I had no coaching. Rugby was called-off, so no coaching, no playing. Then the gym closed, so everything was taken away.
I’ve transformed my business into virtual classes via Zoom and I now do online personal training. With the recent changes in the guidance, I’m now allowed to do outdoor sessions with a couple of people. It’s been stressful and overwhelming at times trying to organise it all - to run a virtual gym rather than a physical gym. I still have my daily routine and diary with my clients and classes booked in; it just looks a little different in that I’m dancing about my kitchen rather than a stage – my family thinks I’m hilarious!
I play video games and I am slightly addicted to 'Call of Duty'! Charlie was spending a lot of time with the boys so I thought, 'why not get involved?'. Now the boys prefer me in their team to Charlie!
Jemma hosting her Zoom classes.
Jemma taking her dog, Alfie, for a walk.
How do you stay motivated?
Outside of work, I’ve been taking a lot of time to work on myself and assess where I am in my rugby career and personal growth. It’s amazing now that I have taken time out to reflect on how far I’ve come in terms of rugby and my business. It made me realise how many things I’ve overcome and created opportunities for myself. I’m super grateful for how I’ve developed as a player and as a person. I feel really refreshed and recharged to get back into rugby, whatever that might look like, and also business, whatever that looks like. It’s been a period of growth for me – that’s not to say I’ve not felt unmotivated or anxious at times but it’s all to do with the people around you. I’m grateful to my family, my friends, team-mates and Charlie – that’s a couple of mentions he’s got now – he’s going to have to pay me!
What have you been doing to stay fit – any tips you can share?
This is probably a conversation I’ve had lots of times during lockdown. People often ask me how they can stay fit without equipment. That’s fine, you can still walk or go for a run – if you have a bike, you can get out. For staying fit, it’s important to think how you can move more. I’ve been encouraging my clients to get a step goal of 12,000 – with a little more time, you have no excuse not to get out there. The other thing I would suggest is to do a coach-led class, because if you have accountability, community and motivation from other people, you’re more likely to stick at it. It’s about the mental gains you get from staying fit and being part of a community that allows you mentally to feel better, because you get the virtual high-five and praise.
Bike conditioning.
What about any healthy eating advice? What’s the best meal you’ve made at home?
Everyone is going to laugh at this – my mum cooks everything for me! Sometimes it’s healthy, sometimes it’s 'Treat Yourself Tuesday' – I’m all about having a balanced diet. The meal I make a lot - and I post about it all the time on social media – is chicken satay. I found a recipe on BBC Good Food which is really simple and tasty; quite healthy as well!
I attempted to make pancakes which didn’t go down well, so I’ve let mum continue with her duties!
Jemma’s infamous chicken satay.
What have you been doing to stay calm and enjoy yourself while at home?
Have you picked up any new skills or hobbies?
Number one would definitely be speaking to the camera! I never spoke to the camera before and hated hearing my own voice and seeing my face on the screen but that has been the main skill I’ve learned...to get over it.
Secondly, the video gaming. I don’t think the boys had much faith in me at the start but they accept me now!
The other skill I’ve learned is how to be patient with parents. Spending a lot of time together can be tough and I now have more patience than I did before.
Have you got any streaming or book recommendations?
I have watched a bit of Netflix – I’m a sucker for something that is easy to watch that you can have on in the background. I got into Riverdale which people might laugh at me for! My little cousins and I have been watching the Princess collection on Disney+. They sometimes dress-up to watch the movie together with me on FaceTime.
The Food Medic has released a new podcast series which covers topics like female nutrition and training. It’s nice to hear from another professional and learn from her too. I launched my own podcast during lockdown with my business partner, Amy Wethers, called Arise. We chat about health, fitness, nutrition and a little about ourselves. Amy plays volleyball for Northern Ireland and we talk about how our sport at the top-end can impact us as businesswomen.
Jemma’s Arise podcast.
What has been the best advice you’ve received?
There has been a lot of advice over the years that has stuck by me. Some was more position-specific, such as 'keep a blue head' which comes from the 'Legacy' book on the All Blacks that Derek Suffern works with me on quite a bit. It means keeping calm and doing our jobs correctly.
Another is from Nora Stapleton at Belvo. I struggled to balance my career with friends, relationships and rugby. Her advice was to make every second count and if you don’t get something done, don’t panic. When I was training, I wasn’t getting the extra sessions some girls were getting, so Nora said to make every time you step on the pitch to work hard. I didn’t feel as guilty if I missed a session because I knew I could make it count in the sessions and games I played in.
The third piece of advice is: don’t give up. Just because someone says you can’t do something, don’t pack it in because it’s your passion. Take the criticism on board and work on yourself. It will be hard but if it’s your passion, it will pay off.
What has been your proudest moment in rugby?
There have been a lot! Getting called up to the 2017 Six Nations squad and being involved in the warm-up game against Wales was a really proud moment. Having my parents there was great.
Another top moment was my first game in the 10 jersey at Kingspan Stadium as an Ulster player. Just getting to run out on the same grass that David Humphreys did was very special even though we lost the game.
At club level, being recognised as an important part of the Belvo family and earning my stripes for them has been fantastic. It has a tradition of great players and an excellent culture and I love being brought into the fold there.
You’ve already achieved so much but do you have any other rugby aspirations?
I would always love to get that Irish cap; I’ve wanted that since I was 18. It would be a dream come true to play for Ireland in the 10 jersey and represent my country. If that isn’t the case, I’m fine with that because I get so much satisfaction playing for Ulster and Old Belvedere.
I’d like to continue playing for Ulster and be a good role model for the younger girls coming through. I love coaching in the Ulster U18 setup and getting to see the girls grow as players, making their way into the senior squad. I want to continue coaching the U18 girls and continue playing for Ulster.
With my club, we nearly did it this season, if it wasn’t for COVID-19, but compete in the Energia AIL, come out on top with some silverware and enjoy it as much as I do today.
Jemma hosting her Zoom classes.
Jemma taking her dog, Alfie, for a walk.
How do you stay motivated?
Outside of work, I’ve been taking a lot of time to work on myself and assess where I am in my rugby career and personal growth. It’s amazing now that I have taken time out to reflect on how far I’ve come in terms of rugby and my business. It made me realise how many things I’ve overcome and created opportunities for myself. I’m super grateful for how I’ve developed as a player and as a person. I feel really refreshed and recharged to get back into rugby, whatever that might look like, and also business, whatever that looks like. It’s been a period of growth for me – that’s not to say I’ve not felt unmotivated or anxious at times but it’s all to do with the people around you. I’m grateful to my family, my friends, team-mates and Charlie – that’s a couple of mentions he’s got now – he’s going to have to pay me!
What have you been doing to stay fit – any tips you can share?
This is probably a conversation I’ve had lots of times during lockdown. People often ask me how they can stay fit without equipment. That’s fine, you can still walk or go for a run – if you have a bike, you can get out. For staying fit, it’s important to think how you can move more. I’ve been encouraging my clients to get a step goal of 12,000 – with a little more time, you have no excuse not to get out there. The other thing I would suggest is to do a coach-led class, because if you have accountability, community and motivation from other people, you’re more likely to stick at it. It’s about the mental gains you get from staying fit and being part of a community that allows you mentally to feel better, because you get the virtual high-five and praise.
We're back with another #WorkoutWednesday for you. Ulster's @jemma_jackson_ has created a quick workout routine to help keep you fit and healthy at home! 🏡💪 Give it a go! 👊#WorkoutWednesday with @DeloitteNI pic.twitter.com/Cdl1zOORnm
— Ulster Rugby (at 🏡) (@UlsterRugby) June 10, 2020
Bike conditioning.
What about any healthy eating advice? What’s the best meal you’ve made at home?
Everyone is going to laugh at this – my mum cooks everything for me! Sometimes it’s healthy, sometimes it’s 'Treat Yourself Tuesday' – I’m all about having a balanced diet. The meal I make a lot - and I post about it all the time on social media – is chicken satay. I found a recipe on BBC Good Food which is really simple and tasty; quite healthy as well!
I attempted to make pancakes which didn’t go down well, so I’ve let mum continue with her duties!
Jemma’s infamous chicken satay.
What have you been doing to stay calm and enjoy yourself while at home?
Have you picked up any new skills or hobbies?
Number one would definitely be speaking to the camera! I never spoke to the camera before and hated hearing my own voice and seeing my face on the screen but that has been the main skill I’ve learned...to get over it.
Secondly, the video gaming. I don’t think the boys had much faith in me at the start but they accept me now!
The other skill I’ve learned is how to be patient with parents. Spending a lot of time together can be tough and I now have more patience than I did before.
Have you got any streaming or book recommendations?
I have watched a bit of Netflix – I’m a sucker for something that is easy to watch that you can have on in the background. I got into Riverdale which people might laugh at me for! My little cousins and I have been watching the Princess collection on Disney+. They sometimes dress-up to watch the movie together with me on FaceTime.
The Food Medic has released a new podcast series which covers topics like female nutrition and training. It’s nice to hear from another professional and learn from her too. I launched my own podcast during lockdown with my business partner, Amy Wethers, called Arise. We chat about health, fitness, nutrition and a little about ourselves. Amy plays volleyball for Northern Ireland and we talk about how our sport at the top-end can impact us as businesswomen.
Jemma’s Arise podcast.
What has been the best advice you’ve received?
There has been a lot of advice over the years that has stuck by me. Some was more position-specific, such as 'keep a blue head' which comes from the 'Legacy' book on the All Blacks that Derek Suffern works with me on quite a bit. It means keeping calm and doing our jobs correctly.
Another is from Nora Stapleton at Belvo. I struggled to balance my career with friends, relationships and rugby. Her advice was to make every second count and if you don’t get something done, don’t panic. When I was training, I wasn’t getting the extra sessions some girls were getting, so Nora said to make every time you step on the pitch to work hard. I didn’t feel as guilty if I missed a session because I knew I could make it count in the sessions and games I played in.
The third piece of advice is: don’t give up. Just because someone says you can’t do something, don’t pack it in because it’s your passion. Take the criticism on board and work on yourself. It will be hard but if it’s your passion, it will pay off.
What has been your proudest moment in rugby?
There have been a lot! Getting called up to the 2017 Six Nations squad and being involved in the warm-up game against Wales was a really proud moment. Having my parents there was great.
Another top moment was my first game in the 10 jersey at Kingspan Stadium as an Ulster player. Just getting to run out on the same grass that David Humphreys did was very special even though we lost the game.
At club level, being recognised as an important part of the Belvo family and earning my stripes for them has been fantastic. It has a tradition of great players and an excellent culture and I love being brought into the fold there.
You’ve already achieved so much but do you have any other rugby aspirations?
I would always love to get that Irish cap; I’ve wanted that since I was 18. It would be a dream come true to play for Ireland in the 10 jersey and represent my country. If that isn’t the case, I’m fine with that because I get so much satisfaction playing for Ulster and Old Belvedere.
I’d like to continue playing for Ulster and be a good role model for the younger girls coming through. I love coaching in the Ulster U18 setup and getting to see the girls grow as players, making their way into the senior squad. I want to continue coaching the U18 girls and continue playing for Ulster.
With my club, we nearly did it this season, if it wasn’t for COVID-19, but compete in the Energia AIL, come out on top with some silverware and enjoy it as much as I do today.