Celebrating International Women’s Day 2020

We’ve asked five members of staff who’ve each worked at Principality Stadium or been part of the WRU family for 15 years or more (!) about their career highlights, women who’ve inspired them, the key to success and advice for the next generation.

Tina Williamson, Ticketing Operations Manager

Describe yourself in three words
Loyal, nosey, sweary

What was your first job?
Bar staff in my village pub

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An architect but physics and maths weren’t my strong point so that could have been quite dangerous

What’s the most important quality to have as an employee?
Flexibility, the easy way is rarely the route taken so you need to be open to different ways of doing things

Name your career highlight or favourite ‘moment’ working at WRU/PS?
The 2005 Grand slam, I was born in the late 70s so I’d waited a long time to see one! Delivering 4 nights of sold out Ed Sheeran shows, that was a challenge but amazing to be part of.

What is the biggest misconception about your role?
That I work in a ticket booth like in a railway station. These days my role is a bit more complicated, although you can still find me selling tickets over the counter on most event days.

What woman inspires you and why?
Dolly Parton, she’s no dumb blonde. She’s achieved so much through her hard work. I ask myself most days – “What would Dolly do?”

What’s the key to success?
Learning from your mistakes, we all make them, it’s what you do with that failure that matters.

What advice would you give to the next generation of females entering the industry?
Back yourself and Be yourself. Sport is no longer a boys club so have confidence in your ability and your right to be here.

Tracey Maxwell, General Manager Principality Stadium Experience

Describe yourself in three words
Passionate, loyal and caring

What was your first job?
Full time, working as a receptionist at Millennium Stadium,
Part time, working as a sales assistant during University at NEXT plc

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Fashion designer then a lawyer

What’s the most important quality to have as an employee?
Integrity

Name your career highlight or favourite ‘moment’ working at WRU/PS?
Champions League Final – PSE
Grand Slam 2008 – WRU
Favorite moment – RWC 2007 Quarter Final, when France beat NZ, or Road to Japan

What is the biggest misconception about your role?
That we are just “the caterers”

What woman inspires you and why?
Personally I am surrounded by such amazing women, my Mum for her endless capacity to love and always see the positive in everyone, and professionally, the many women that I work with for their endless determination, diligence and strength.  Its amazing to watch.

What’s the key to success?
Being organised and having endless energy, and to make sure I get some sleep

What advice would you give to the next generation of females entering the industry?
Are you sure? Are you ready? It’s tough… be ready be certain of what you want to achieve, talk to everyone understand their view point. Always communicate always collaborate. And Breathe!

Caroline Morgan, PA Wales National Squad

Describe yourself in three words
Honest, loyal, trustworthy

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A secretary

What’s the most important quality to have as an employee?
Loyalty

Name your career highlight or favourite ‘moment’ working at WRU/PS?
Grand Slams and Championship wins 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2019

What is the biggest misconception about your role?
That it is glamorous

What woman inspires you and why?
My late Auntie Tyd, she lived to be 90, kept herself young and could have a conversation about absolutely anything with a wicked sense of humour and was the most generous person I knew

What’s the key to success?
Giving 100% to the role and putting others before yourself

What advice would you give to the next generation of females entering the industry?
Be prepared to adapt and believe in yourself

Claire Jenkins, Events & Projects Manager

Describe yourself in three words
Opened this up to the office for feedback – was told “Crazy like a small winged nocturnal mammal!”

What was your first job?
A Waitress in a golf club

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A ballet dancer or actress

What’s the most important quality to have as an employee?
Be honest

Name your career highlight or favourite ‘moment’ working at WRU/PS?
Getting to sit ringside next to Ed Sheeran’s Dad, two down from Kit Harington (aka Jon Snow) and behind Sugar Ray Leonard for the Joshua V Parker fight because two VIP guests didn’t show up!

What is the biggest misconception about your role?
That a Back Stage Pass must be an amazing thing to have! – Back Stage is just set carts, tour accountants, caterers and tour security guards standing in front of closed doors.

What woman inspires you and why?
My Mum and Mother-in-law – Cancer surviving, life loving, strong ladies!

What’s the key to success?
Positivity, and the drive to find a workable solution.

What advice would you give to the next generation of females entering the industry?
Be brave, be honest, be yourself!

Karen Oatley, Security Officer Principality Stadium

Describe yourself in three words
Honest, Enthusiastic, Loyal

What was your first job?
Craft Baker

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Air Hostess

What’s the most important quality to have as an employee?
Loyalty

Name your career highlight or favourite ‘moment’ working at WRU/PS?
Being informed by Ian Peploe that I was to be selected and then to subsequently be employed as the first female Security Officer at the Principality Stadium.

What is the biggest misconception about your role?
“It’s only security”

What woman inspires you and why?
My mum, because if I turn out to be half the woman she was I haven’t done bad in my life

What’s the key to success?
Strive to achieve 100%, but never at someone else’ disadvantage

What advice would you give to the next generation of females entering the industry?
No matter what people say, or how many setbacks never give up on your dream