Following an independent audit conducted by the Rugby Football Union as part of the Tyrrells Premier 15s cycle, the top six ranked teams have been invited to join the next three-year league structure covering seasons 2020/21 to 2022/23.
Unfortunately, Warriors Women have not made the top six teams and will therefore have to reapply for a place in the league. We are disappointed not to have finished in the top six of the audit process, which was conducted in November 2019 at a time of significant transition for Warriors Women, however, we are positive going into the re-tendering process with the support of owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring.
Since the audit was carried out, former England Under-20s coach Jo Yapp has been appointed Warriors Women Director of Rugby, and under her guidance we have dramatically improved our on-field results, with three successive home wins moving us up from tenth to eighth place in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
The changes have included going from one full-time member of staff to six over the last few months and our aim has been to ensure we can support players fully both on and off the field.
Full-time appointments include Team Manager Josh Payne, Lead Coach Sian Moore, Strength and Conditioning Coach Ethan Kinney and Head of Medical Declan Iles, which has resulted in the players receiving the support that is required at this level. We also have a great relationship with our Academy, with Mike Hill stepping in as Forwards Coach.
As a club we are really focused on developing the next generation with the appointment of Benny Williams, who will head up the new DiSE programme from September and lead on the Centre of Excellence. We have recognised the changes that needed to be made at the start of the season and we have been forward thinking in our approach and support of the women’s programme.
Victories over Bristol Bears, Firwood Waterloo and Richmond coupled with try bonus points against last season’s champions Saracens and Loughborough has energised Warriors Women going into the latter stages of the campaign. Additionally, we are delighted with the increased attendances for all our home games including the Sepsis Awareness Day fixture against Bristol in December, which attracted more than 2,000 spectators to Sixways.
We have also staged a double-header this season, with Warriors Women taking to the field against Richmond following the men’s European Challenge Cup game against Russian side Enisei-STM last month. There are more double-headers scheduled, with Warriors Women’s fixtures against Gloucester-Hartpury and Loughborough Lightning running alongside the men’s games.
Eight Warriors players are currently away on international duty, representing England and Wales at this year’s Women’s Six Nations to further underline the progress being made at Sixways.
Warriors Co-owner Jason Whittingham said: “As owners we are committed in our support of the Women’s team. Jo has done an incredible job since assuming the role as our women’s Director of Rugby and we are proud of the team that she is building and the progress that she has made.
“We will continue to fully support Jo and her team through the reapplication process and fully expect to be playing in the Women’s Premier 15s next season.”
We have automatically been shortlisted and will be interviewed and assessed by a selection panel, with a decision to be made in due course.