Heather Cowell’s journey from world champion gymnast to Olympic rugby player – while carving out a successful career in finance – is nothing short of inspiring, showcasing her ability to excel in both sport and her career.

“It was amazing to represent Team GB at the 2024 Olympics – the pinnacle of sport,” she says. “Playing in front of 66,000 people in the Stade de France was incredible. Scoring two tries – one against Australia and one against Ireland – was definitely a highlight.”

The Team GB rugby women’s sevens squad won three and lost three games, narrowly getting knocked out by the US in the quarter finals, with a score of 17-7 to finish in seventh place out of 12 teams.

Where it all began

However, Cowell is no newcomer to world-class sport – but her journey began with gymnastics rather than rugby. She excelled at gymnastics from a young age: “It was my sport growing up,” she says, “and I did it right up until university. I was a junior world champion, competing internationally.”

But by the time she moved to Birmingham for university, she admits falling out of love with gymnastics. Then during her third year, Cowell found a renewed passion in rugby – she had played it with her twin brother until the age of 12, an experience that laid the foundation for her eventual return to the sport. Her twin, Cameron Cowell, is also an international English rugby player who plays on the wing. “I started playing rugby again as a new challenge, initially just for fun. After graduating and spending six months travelling, I decided to take rugby more seriously and see how far I could go with it,” she says.

“However, there weren't many opportunities for girls to play at a high level when I was younger,” she reflects. It has made her determined to inspire the next generation: “It’s a big part of our squad’s mission. If even a few girls pick up a rugby ball after watching us in Paris, that’s a win.”

ACA chartered accountant

Alongside her rugby career, Cowell was also beginning her professional career, with a degree in mathematics and sports science under her belt. Driven by her love for numbers and a broad interest in business, she decided to explore a career in accountancy, inspired by a friend undertaking the ACA qualification. “Once I looked into it, I realised how diverse the field is and how being chartered can open doors to roles beyond traditional accounting."

She joined Isosceles Finance, where she completed her ACA exams – and it’s thanks to the strong support provided by the firm that she has been able to balance the rigorous demands of both her sport and her career. “Isosceles has been brilliant. It has really supported me, particularly during my sabbatical in the lead-up to the Olympics,” she says.

Balancing her career in accountancy with her passion for rugby hasn’t been without its challenges, but she found further support from Sue Day, the former CFO of the sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union. Not only an ACA, Day was also a former England rugby captain. “She encouraged me to stick with the ACA – and I’m so glad I did,” says Cowell. “It’s easy to get discouraged, but perseverance pays off in the end.”

What’s next?

As the post-Olympics excitement starts to die down and Cowell returns to her role at Isosceles as a Finance Manager, her plan is to continue to juggle both careers. “I’m very ambitious and I think that’s reflected in both my rugby and accountancy careers. Eventually, I’ll shift that ambition entirely to accountancy, aiming to climb the ladder and become a leader in the finance industry.”

As for her rugby career, she says: “I’m with Harlequins RFC in Twickenham as a winger, and there’s a World Cup taking place in England next year. For now, though, I’m taking it easy – I need to relax a bit before focusing on big tournaments.”

As Cowell continues to balance rugby and accountancy, she exemplifies how the combination of personal determination and workplace support can lead to success across the board. She hopes others will be inspired to follow her lead.

“Accountancy is a perfect career for athletes. With the right support, it’s possible to excel in both. There are so many transferable skills between sport and business that any organisation would benefit from employing athletes.”

For Cowell, the ultimate key to success lies in hard work and passion. “What you put into something is what you get out of it,” she says. “Most importantly, enjoy the journey. If you’re not enjoying what you do, it’s probably not worth doing.”