Charlie’s story of her career in the army and where this crossed into the world of netball, is filled with opportunity, dedication and a community that is committed to working together to lift each other up.
This International Women’s Day, we hear from the British Army’s Colonel Charlie Winship, who has served for 14 years, balancing her trade as a dentist with her medical training role, being the Chair of Army Netball and the mum of two young children.
Read on for more of her story, from all she has experienced as part of the British Army to how netball has become a special part of her service!
Charlie’s duties within the Army have given her an exciting career for the past 14 years.
“I am a dentist by trade, but currently I am working in the Defence Medical Academy in a job in medical training. I look after the training plans, the course design, the assessment, the assurance and the quality of all Defence Medical Services training. It encompasses medical and allied health professional courses across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
“I am the Postgraduate Dental Dean and hold secondary roles as the Defence Specialist Advisor in Dental Public Health and Vice Chair of the NATO Oral Health Services Panel. I am also the Chair of Army Netball and the Women’s Focus Representative on the executive Army Sports Board, plus have mum duties to a three and a six –year old, so it’s fair to say I am kept busy!”
Charlie transferred from working as an NHS and private dentist at the age of 28 when she decided she couldn’t see herself working in the same job until retirement. Despite not having any serving family or any experience with the Army, she took her love for dentistry and went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for basic Army Officer training: “This was a shock to the system!
“I have spent the last 14 years working all over the world. In the Army, I have found potential in myself that I had never before unlocked and worked in roles outside of dentistry which have challenged me and developed new skills.
“I have met friends for life (including my husband) and I have had the most amazing ‘money can’t buy’ opportunities. Joining the Army was the best decision I ever made – I truly believe that.”
Charlie’s experience of netball to this point had been playing at university and in local grassroots clubs, where at 6ft tall she played as a GA or GS.
“When I joined the Army, I immediately found my Corps netball team, then was scouted for the Army team. I played for seven years in a row for the Army (and continue to play for my Corps) and then started climbing the management ladder. I still play now for a civilian club.
“I was completely honoured to be scouted for the Army team – it was a no brainer. I have never felt such pride through sport.”
Charlie’s netball world in the Army opened up even more opportunity to her – from travelling the world playing international teams (including frequently visiting the Caribbean!) to playing the curtain raiser match for the England vs Jamaica test series, to being on television for the latest Army recruitment campaign featuring the Army Netball team and more!
“Winning the Inter Services competition with my teammates has to be up there as my favourite memory. It’s a really important competition for us, so fierce and competitive. I cry every time I see my team doing the ‘March On’ before a match and standing for the national anthem – I am so proud of them and us.”
This year’s International Women’s campaign is about #AcceleratingAction. It is predicted that at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
The British Army support female personnel from a health, wellbeing and performance perspective, with recent changes that Charlie shares from her point of view:
“Gender equality is so important to the British Army. The Atherton Report shone a spotlight on the Gender inequalities which exist, the results were harrowing. We are alive to the issues and have put some meaningful changes into place which I see lived out every day; whether that be through flexible service options, women-specific clothing (women aren’t just small men!), research into women’s health and performance, opening all combat roles in the Army to women, zero tolerance for sexually unacceptable behaviours – to name but a few areas where we have made significant advancement in reducing gender inequalities.
“We have some outstanding networks (Army Service Women’s Network for example), and in sport, Army Sport4HER which actively support women. We are nonetheless not perfect, still have plenty of work to do and are still on the journey, but we are, at least, accountable.”
England Netball’s NETBALLHer initiative launched in 2023 to lead in the female health space and accelerate positive change for women and girls – opening up conversations and creating spaces for women and girls to thrive and show up authentically through a wealth of resources on the NETBALLHer website to educate and inspire players, coaches, umpires, fans and volunteers alike.
Where resources like NETBALLHer are concerned, Charlie sees the importance:
“Education: there are still areas of society and people within it who don’t understand what gender inequality is, don’t recognise it, knowingly or unknowingly, and directly or indirectly contribute to it. Education, from the youngest age, is the key.”
To any women or girls who might be considering joining the British Army, Charlie has some words of encouragement to share…
“If you are seeking more from life and think the Army might be for you, then do it. It is not for everyone and it’s not always easy, but your gender is irrelevant from that choice.
“My own experience is that I have never felt a greater sense of belonging, never felt more part of a team and I have never felt so fulfilled knowing that I have more than a job, I have a purpose. I never considered the Army when I was at school or even at university. I took a blind leap of faith and sometimes you need to do that to achieve.
“As a woman in the Army you can have a fulfilling career, a job you love, opportunities beyond belief; you can be a mother, a wife – any of these (or none of these!) – and you can definitely be a leader. When you join the Army, the Army wipes the slate clean with what has gone before. Your future is down to you.”
