Heather Fisher’s battle with alopecia is kicked out of female toilets and she is facing allegations that she took drugs; ahead of International Women’s Day, the England rugby star spoke of her ongoing struggle to challenge gender stereotypes
Last updated: 08/03/21 6:37 am
Heather Fisher has represented England at the World Cup and Commonwealth Games
England rugby star Heather Fisher has opened up about her battle with alopecia as she looks to represent Team GB at a second Olympics later this year.
On the pitch, 36-year-old Fisher has played for Team GB at Rio 2016, for England at the World Cup, and won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
But off the pitch, Fisher had to deal with hair loss situations, being kicked out of female toilets and facing allegations that he had taken drugs.
“I’m just a girl going about her dream of getting to Tokyo,” said Fisher, who is on the first episode of the official Birmingham 2022 podcast at the Commonwealth Games – 22 voices. “By the way, I lost some hair over weight, then before you know it, you are judged to be a man because you don’t have hair and you have muscles.
“I always dreamed of being an athlete. I was struggling with anorexia as a young girl, that was a lot about understanding and how you should look, but then struggling with my hair loss breeds a new build of insecurity and inner- confidence issues, because then I have always been judged for being a bloke, accused of taking drugs or being a boy.
“That’s where that came from being kicked out of toilets, the police waiting for me outside toilets. That’s just the norm. It’s not good.”
Fisher also revealed that she had previously had to lift her roof to determine her gender.
“When asked about being a bloke, a lot of it depends on the day on how confident I feel about challenging it,” she said.
“Sometimes I didn’t want to open my mouth, because if I knew I was a woman then I had to explain.
Heather Fisher was part of the England side that won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
“There are times when I’ve been in changing rooms where I’d almost be torn to shreds, to see that I’m almost female, which is false. I feel ashamed of myself. I have even had to lift my head when the police are waiting outside in different countries just to prove that I am a woman, I do not feel that I had much choice. which I stop at motorway services because I know what is coming.
“It gives you problems that I don’t think I should have. I’m just a woman who lost her hair and is training for their country. I have muscles. When I say it like that, I can laugh at it, but there are times when comments are made and I am reminded all the time.It makes me feel insecure.
“I feel like I’ve never had to wear clothes, be someone else, explain who I am, talk until someone hears who I am. The effect is, my confidence, once I am not I feel judged when I am on the pitch.Apart from it, I do not feel that I am almost relevant in the society because of my vision, I can’t help it. “
Monday marks International Women’s Day, and Fisher said the reality is that women must maintain challenging inequalities in order to have a fair go.
She said: “We shouldn’t have to have one day a year, we should be equal. It’s an opportunity to put women on the map, to put out other women who have a dream. and who follows them should not be something that everyone is working towards, but it ‘s important because it’ s an opportunity to hear more voices.
“If we don’t choose to challenge him, he won’t change. A lot of women I know will sit back and say they won’t challenge him, but we must. Without the above, no above, it ‘s just the same. “
In addition to training, Fisher has taken on a counseling role, where she wants to emphasize the power of each individual.
“Yes, women out there are strong, but we are not yet seen as level with boys” she said. “I coach individuals to be on your own. You have to understand, but I won’t change into a coaching model.
“I’m me, I play who I play. A woman who knows that might be scary for some, but that’s what it is. I feel as if it should be coached in us, not from us. “
To listen to the full program of 22 Voices by Heather Fisher and Sarah Davies, find 22 Voices wherever you listen to your podcasts, or visit www.birmingham2022.com/22voices