2016 Inductee Heather is a multi-talented athlete who took up rugby later in her career, earning over 80 international caps for Scotland and selection to the British Lionesses. A former junior international hockey player and a Scottish title holder at tennis, Heather won a full Blue for both hockey and tennis while at University and won the Eva Bailey Trophy - awarded to the best female athlete - in both 1991/92 and 1992/93. She was also selected as a pioneering member of the University’s Sports Scholarship Scheme, and helped to shape the elements that are now so firmly embedded and celebrated. A gifted sporting all-rounder, it is as a rugby player that Heather has really excelled. Making her international debut against the USA in 2004 at the age of 32, she now has over 80 senior Scotland caps. She has played in two World Cups, helping the Scotland team to come 6th in 2006 and 8th in the 2010 tournament. Her status as a leading international player was recognised in 2008 when she was selected to play for the British Lionesses (made up of the best players in the Home Nations) against a Rest of the World team. That same year, she was voted the Scottish Women’s International Player of the Year. Playing in the specialist position of prop, she has scored four tries for Scotland, has established herself as an integral part of Scottish Women’s Rugby on and off the pitch, and is widely recognised as a key figure behind the growth, popularity and standard of women’s rugby at club and international levels. The sport owes her a real debt of gratitude. This article was published on 2024-05-13