World Cup winner Alphonsi on the vital support that helped her conquer the world

Revered as one of England's greatest, Maggie Alphonsi lifted the World Cup with the Red Roses in 2014 — but without crucial funding in her career the former Saracen could have been lost to the game forever. Alphonsi is the face of international women's rugby and arguably one of the most well-known names in women's team sports.

Ad Before announcing her international retirement in 2014, she represented her country an impressive 74 times, scored 28 tries, won a World Cup, and helped England win a record-breaking seven consecutive Six Nations crowns. RugbyAldcroft's grit can fire England to World Cup glory says Alphonsi2 HOURS AGO Alphonsi's childhood was far from conventional as she was in and out of hospital as a young girl after being born with a club foot.

She grew up on a council estate in Lewisham in a single-parent family, meaning finances were tight and she was forced to work several jobs — that was until The National Lottery and their support changed her life. And with the World Cup starting this week in New Zealand — Maggie has opted to celebrate the extraordinary impact The National Lottery has had on the UK's sporting landscape, and to say thank you to National Lottery players for contributing more than £30 million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport — from grassroots to elite.

«The support it's provided me has been significant, for me The National Lottery helped my career hugely,» said Alphonsi, who was meeting with women and girls who play for National Lottery-supported Haringey Rhinos RFC, to see for herself how National Lottery funding is having a positive impact on female participation at the club. «I had National Lottery support, which basically helped provide for my expenses, medical