They told her she was “silly” to make the jump into self-employment at a comparatively young age but Stella Mills is glad she did.

The 24-year-old from Poole is a freelance PR and Communications Consultant working primarily in women’s rugby.

Dorset-born Stella went to university in Newcastle where she gained a BA in Politics and an MSc in International Marketing.

She left her job at a Poole-based PR firm in June to go solo.

Stella, who is a grassroots rugby player, said: “Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports and brands are starting to recognise that.

“It was deep into the pandemic that I realised I needed to follow my passion of working in the rugby industry.

“I realised the PR world can move at an incredibly fast pace, and if you aren’t passionate about what you are doing, you’ll get bored, quickly.

“When I was younger, I swore I would never work a traditional 9-5.

“I was always going away on spontaneous trips abroad and just couldn’t ever get my head around someone else having control over my schedule.

“I write articles for Girls Rugby Club, Ruggette RFC and even have my own column with RugbyPass.

“I have been lucky enough to sit down and interview some of rugby’s great stars over the past few months.

“These include Ugo Monye, David Flatman, Helena Rowland and Bournemouth’s very own Poppy Cleall.

“I started to notice grassroots rugby clubs were really struggling in terms of marketing and communications.

“Rugby players are really good at talking to the rugby community, but often we are not so good at growing our sport and introducing it to new audiences.

“I had an idea to hold an online webinar for grassroots rugby clubs, teaching them how to leverage social media to recruit and retain female players.

“I thought just a few people would buy a ticket and it would be a small intimate gathering.

“I checked my phone just before logging on and 90 clubs had purchased a ticket, still today I am getting messages asking for the recording!

“I also work directly with rugby clubs, advising them on how they can grow their women and girls’ rugby team.

“When I sit down and think about my journey, I realise I am lucky to have had so much success so quickly.

“I have quite literally carved out a role for myself in the rugby world and, so far, it’s working.

“I have found my place in the working world and love the freedom that comes alongside working for myself.”

Recent examples of her work – highlighted by Stella – include:

• “I broke probably the biggest story of my career to date, uncovering the issues within the current Premier 15s set-up with contracts.”
• “I asked the question about the phrase ‘ladies’ rugby in my column.. It was received really well and some grassroots teams even changed their name from ‘ladies’ to ‘women’. Very proud of this one.”
• “A big interview with a true legend of the game, David Flatman, for Girls Rugby Club“

Stella added: “Most people told me I was silly to take such a big jump being so young.

“I am glad I did.”

• stellamills.co.uk