‘It stops doomscrolling!’ – meet England’s crochet club

Key Takeaways:

• England’s Tatyana Heard and Abby Dow share a passion for crochet.
• The players say the craft “stops doomscrolling” and eases stress.
• They expect crochet to support their mental preparation for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
• The insight came during a BBC Sport interview with journalist Jo Currie.
• The story underscores how elite athletes increasingly embrace mindful hobbies.

Crochet Over Chaos
England’s World Cup-bound backs Tatyana Heard and Abby Dow have found an unlikely source of composure in the lead-up to rugby’s biggest stage: a crochet hook and a ball of yarn.

“It stops doomscrolling!”
That arresting phrase, splashed across the BBC Sport headline, captures how the two Red Roses describe the hobby that now rivals any conditioning drill in their routine. Speaking with BBC reporter Jo Currie, Heard and Dow explained that the rhythmic loop-and-pull of crochet offers a rare pause from the scroll of bad news that can swamp a player’s phone.

Finding Focus in a Loop
The craft’s repetitive motions, they said, help sharpen focus and quiet the mind—benefits they hope to carry into the high-pressure environment of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. For a tournament measured in split-second decisions and relentless collisions, a hobby built on patience and precision may be the perfect counterweight.

Interview with BBC Sport
During their conversation with Currie, both athletes spoke candidly about the importance of guarding mental health. The simple act of creating something tangible with yarn, they noted, provides a sense of accomplishment far removed from match statistics or social-media metrics.

Quick Profiles

Player | Position | Why Crochet Matters
— | — | —
Tatyana Heard | England rugby union player | Uses the craft for calm and concentration
Abby Dow | England rugby union player | Says it keeps her from doomscrolling and builds patience

A Wider Trend
While rugby scrums and crochet stitches occupy different worlds, the players’ embrace of a quiet pastime reflects a broader shift: elite athletes openly discussing tools that protect their wellbeing. For Heard and Dow, every completed row is a reminder that balance can be found—even when a World Cup looms.