Paris 2024: GB rugby sevens Ellie Boatman on eating disorders, body positivity and going for gold

Rugby player Ellie Boatman had to overcome body confidence issues and eating disorders to rekindle her love of the game and book her place at the Olympics.

Unhappy with being one of the only girls playing rugby and the stigma that came with it, she stopped playing at the age of 16.

After suffering from eating disorders during her lowest moments at university, she was convinced by her friend to give the sport another chance.

A hat-trick in her first game helped reignite the spark, which has led to her playing in a World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

Now she travels to Paris, aiming to bring home her country’s first ever medal in the sport as she represents Team GB in the rugby sevens.

“I always struggled with the way I looked from a young age, and we definitely went through a generation of seeing magazines and negative views towards women’s bodies,” the 27-year-old told BBC South.

“I definitely got sucked up in that, and when I really struggled was when I went to university and I was in charge of my own food for the first time, and lots of changes were happening.

“I got caught up in trying to be as small as I was, and I became quite unhappy and very miserable in my own body.

“[I’ve been] speaking to lots of girls and seeing how many experience similar feelings when they’re growing up, so I think it’s really important to share that now. I definitely go through dips, but I’m very happy to say I’m confident in who I am now, which has definitely been a journey.”

Boatman first started playing rugby when she was four years old at Camberley Rugby Football Club in Surrey, where she was allowed to play with boys up to age 11.