Worcester Warriors Women

Worcester Warriors Women, formally known as Worcester Valkyries, are a women's rugby union club in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. They were founded in 1993, as Worcester Ladies, and play in the Women's Premiership.[1] They were originally created as the women's team of Worcester Wanderers, but became part of the English Premiership team Worcester Warriors' organisation ahead of the 2016/17 season.

Worcester Warriors Women
Full nameWorcester Warriors Women
UnionRFU
Founded1993
Ground(s)Sixways Stadium, Worcester
League(s)Premier 15s

History

Worcester Ladies were formed in 1993 by Mark Edwards, who also set up women's rugby union teams at Droitwich RFC and Malvern RFC.[2] They initially played in the national leagues. In 1998, they were promoted into the Women's Premiership for the first time.[3] Worcester Ladies has close links with the University of Worcester with some players playing for both Worcester Ladies and the University of Worcester's women's rugby union team.[4] In 2013, Worcester Ladies won their first Women's Premiership title after a bonus-point victory against Wasps Ladies to stop Richmond Women winning a fourth consecutive title.[5]

Worcester Ladies have a local rivalry with Lichfield Ladies.[6] Being affiliated to Worcester Warriors, Worcester Ladies play their home matches at Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium.[3]

Notable players

Worcester Ladies have had a number of internationals play for them. Samantha Dale and Kat Marchant both played for the England women's national rugby union team. Former England women's captain, Catherine Spencer also played for Worcester.[7] Donna Kennedy played for both Worcester and the Scotland women's national rugby union team, whom she earned 100 caps for.[8] The current squad includes England internationals Lydia Thompson (rugby union), Laura Keates and Canadian international Paige Farries

Coaching

In 2010, Worcester Ladies hired former Jersey player, Luke Fisher as their head coach.[9]

In June 2017, the Valkyries appointed former Bristol Ladies Head Coach Roy Davies as Director of Rugby[10]

References
  1. "Worcester Ladies". RFU. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  2. "Tributes for a rugby veteran; DROITWICH County clubs mourning after player dies on pitch". Birmingham Mail (archived at Thefreelibrary.com). 10 November 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. "Worcester ladies are a knockout". Sunday Mercury (archived at Thefreelibrary.com). 13 February 2000. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  4. "University student to coach at Ugandan Tag Rugby Tournament". University of Worcester. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  5. "Worcester win Women's Premiership title". BBC Sport. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  6. "Women's Premiership: Round One Wrap". Scrum Queens. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  7. "Worcester Ladies in England win". BBC Sport. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  8. "A salute to Scottish rugby's only centurion, Donna Kennedy". The Herald (archived at Highbeam). Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  9. "Luke Fisher gets Worcester Ladies job". BBC Sport. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  10. "Former Bristol boss Davies is new Valkyries director of rugby". Worcester News. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
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