6 March 2026
Meet the University of Sunderland's female students and academics paving the way for future generations
This International Women’s Day (Sunday 8 March) the University of Sunderland is celebrating its female students and academics who are breaking boundaries outside the lecture theatre.
Whether it’s taking on the world’s highest mountains, competing in elite sport or dancing for wellness, these inspirational women are hoping their stories pave the way for future generations.
Lillie Stamper – BA (Hons) Social Work
She studies, she scores! When Lillie Stamper isn’t hitting the books for her Social Work degree, she is Stamp-ing out the competition on the rugby pitch.
Inspired by her grandad, who loved rugby, and watching her brother play, Lillie took up the sport at 14 at Hartlepool Rugby Club through their junior Inner Warrior programme.
For Lillie, rugby not only became a positive outlet for her energy and a way for her to manage stress, but it also gave her a sense of belonging.
“Taking that first step into a sport where girls were often seen as “too soft” ended up giving me a realisation that I can go against these stereotypes and social norms, now I see my club and teammates as a second home,” Lillie, from Hartlepool, said.
The 19-year-old now represents Durham County, is an Elite Athlete Scholar with Team Sunderland’s Women’s Rugby Union and she plays for Houghton Rugby Club.
Lillie, who plays in second row, flanker and eight, said: “People are often surprised when I tell them I play rugby, especially because it feels very different from Social Work. I used it as an icebreaker during Fresher's Week. For me, the two complement each other – rugby is a vital outlet from the high and challenging emotional demands of my degree and future career. It helps me manage stress, reflect, and stay balanced.”
In October 2025, Lillie helped make history by playing in the first ever Women’s U20s county game for Durham County. Her home club, Houghton Rugby Club, is currently top of the league and pushing for promotion, which Lillie hopes will help grow numbers in the women’s game locally.
“I hope my journey shows that there isn’t a single pathway or a “right” age to start sport and that girls should feel confident stepping into spaces that may not always feel accessible.
“As someone who is LGBTQ+, feminine-presenting, and neurodiverse, I understand how important it is to feel accepted and valued, and rugby has given me that space. It celebrates uniqueness and shows there is no one way to look or be an athlete. It promotes body positivity by helping people recognise strength in their own bodies: being powerful, independent, strong and muscular, no matter your size.
“Rugby has also taught me that setbacks and rejection are part of growth, building resilience, wellbeing and a real sense of belonging: this is especially important when being a student and preparing me for my future career. I hope greater visibility continues to open doors for the next generation.”
Florence Springle – BA (Hons) Film and Media
It was a friend’s birthday party at Whitley Bay Ice Rink where a then six-year-old Florence stepped onto the ice for the first time.
Fast-forward 15 years and she now represents Whitley Bay Ice Skating Club at a national level as a fully-fledged figure skater.
Last year, Florence, from Newcastle, competed in the British Ice Skating (BIS) Cup where she came third in the final. She also performed as part of the opening ceremony and finale for the 2026 ISU European Figure Skating Championships which were hosted in Sheffield in January.
Later this month, the 21-year-old will be competing in a national qualifier to hopefully compete at the British Championships in November.
Florence admits figure skating is very different from her degree, but she has found a way to bring her hobby and her love of film and media together.
“People are often very shocked but impressed when they find out I figure skate as it's such a unique sport.
“My degree is definitely very different to figure skating. Although for my dissertation, I've decided to focus on gender equality in the Winter Olympics, and I'll specifically look at figure skating. I'm grateful that media is such a broad subject that I can integrate figure skating into my degree for my final year.”
Passionate about inspiring the next generation of figure skaters Florence qualified as a coach in January 2025.
She then went on to choreograph a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-themed figure skating routine to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck for the Whitley Bay Ice Rink's 70th Anniversary celebration event.
Florence, who is also a Team Sunderland Elite Athlete Scholar and Cheerleading Vice-President, said: “Figure skating is such an inspiring sport due to the sheer determination and drive it takes. The women are so strong and disciplined, something that should be admired by everyone.
“I would encourage everyone to give it a try as the resilience built from falling and getting back up to try again is a skill that can enhance many other aspects of life. I've built so many friendships over the years and the community at the rink feels like a second family. I don't know what I'd do without it.”
Dr Lisa Board – Associate Head of School of Sport, Health and Performance, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing
Dr Board is normally found teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sport, health, and medicine but in November 2025, she put her own endurance to the test – with a trek to Everest Base Camp.
She joined 12 other intrepid fundraisers in support of Red Sky Foundation, a north-east-based charity raising vital funds for babies, children and adults who are born with or develop heart conditions and require cardiac care, including heart transplants. The charity also provides lifelong support to patients and their families.
Everest Base Camp sits at an altitude of 5,364 metres, where oxygen availability is approximately 50% less than that sea level. The 12-day 80-mile trek of diverse and challenging terrain, from lush rhododendron forests to rugged, rocky, and snow-covered glacial moraines, tested both Dr Board and her fellow trekkers’ physical and mental endurance.
Starting at Lukla, the route took the team through Sherpa villages, past beautiful monasteries and over jaw-dropping suspension bridges and to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain before celebrations in Kathmandu.
This trek raised £67,400 for Red Sky Foundation.
However, Dr Board sees Everest Base Camp and is raising it – by an extra 531 metres to be precise. Next year she is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest free-standing mountain at 5,895 metres.
Dr Board said: “Why do I love a challenge? Well, that’s easy – to stay fit and healthy, to travel and explore the beauty and tranquillity of nature, to experience new cultures, to push my own physical limits, and to inspire others.
“As a strong advocate for physical activity and exercise for women’s health, I set myself challenges to stay motivated and live life to the full.
“Inspired by the Sport England “This Girl Can!” campaign, I hope women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities, are inspired and empowered to take part in exercise and physical activity.”
India Adams – MediaHub Newsroom Manager, Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries
For the last seven years, journalist India has been inspiring women to empower and express themselves through dance.
India, who has been dancing at competition level since the age of 10, said: “My mam says I was born dancing and I certainly can’t remember a time when music didn’t move me (quite literally) to express myself through dance. For me, dancing is when I am most in my element, like a fish in water.”
India’s journey hasn’t been straightforward, though. After becoming a mother for the first time, her priorities changed and she stopped dancing to focus on raising her first-born son.
“I found the realities of new motherhood to be all consuming and I found it a challenge to make time for the things I loved,” India explained.
“My body also changed massively, and I lost a lot of confidence and physical strength and fitness. I plucked up the courage to join a Zumba class when my baby was around a year old and I felt like just I came back to life.
“Two more babies later, now with three children to care for, and I had felt like I had found what it was that connected me back to myself – dancing and music. This is why I'm so passionate about inspiring other women to do the same.”
India currently teaches adult dance fitness classes – but with difference.
“I’m all about taking the focus off the usual fitness goals women have thrust upon them such as shrinking their bodies in some way, shape or form and just bringing it back to how it makes you feel – JOYFUL!
“What I do is about celebrating yourself exactly as you are, enjoying the music and reminding people that being alive can be so full of joy and laughter.”
India also leads more relaxed, less structured beach sessions throughout spring and summer, and she and her dancing tribe are now busy preparing for the South Tyneside Summer Parade in July.
On the surface, India’s role at the University is very different to her dancing, however, they are both engrained in community, connecting people and giving them a voice. For India, it is “helping make them visible in a world that often makes them feel invisible – particularly women.”
India’s message this international Women’s Day?
“The advice I would give to young girls and women is never ever to put anything off because you feel badly about your body.
"Don’t put off that dance class, that date, that outfit because you think your body doesn’t meet an idea you or someone else has about how it should look. Instead, think about how it feels. Also remember, in the now iconic words of Cindi Lauper “girls just wanna have fun”, don’t forget the fun.
“Promise me, right now you will put some music on and just dance or move your body to the music and let that smile shine all the way from your head to your toes.”