Worcester Warriors are delighted to continue its commitment to growing women’s sport across the organisation in line with the club’s ‘Time For Change’ campaign.
As women’s sport continues to grow, Warriors are proud to support its women’s programme and remain committed to challenging perceptions as well as championing the positive benefits that sport provides for all.
The announcement comes in the wake of the RFU’s bid to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 and at a time when leading England internationals, including World Player of the Year Emily Scarratt urge the government to tackle ‘gender segregation’ in schools in order to make rugby available to girls.
A time for change at Sixways
Warriors Women continue to make significant strides both on and off the pitch under the guidance of Director of Rugby Jo Yapp and her experienced back-room team.
The freshly appointed Barbarian Women Head Coach has overseen a number of changes in line with Warriors’ new commitment to increasing awareness of women’s sport, promoting women’s participation in sport and developing home-grown talent through its successful pathway system.
What has been achieved so far
Performances have improved significantly on the pitch with a string of victories, culminating in the marque win at Loughborough Lightning earlier this month. The squad has also changed and evolved internationally, with England, Wales, Scotland, USA, Canada and Ireland all represented by Warriors players.
Sticking with the international theme, Sixways Stadium will play host to England Women against USA Women on Sunday 21 November (kick-off 2.45pm), further underlining the profile of the club in women’s sport. Sixways’ first-class hospitality experience will be showcased too for the Red Roses fixture as has already been the case at a number of Warriors Women’s fixtures.
Links with the community
Furthermore, the club’s community rugby department and Community Foundation has welcomed players Akina Gondwe, Caity Mattinson, and Carys Phillips into their teams as Warriors continue to inspire girls to take up the game.
Commercially, high-tech recruitment company Boardrm have become the team’s Official Partner with their logo appearing on all matchday media collateral, video output and training kit. Boardrm’s investment into the women’s team comes on the back of their involvement with the men’s team and their enthusiasm for the women’s game is infectious and exciting as Warriors Women continue to inspire change in women’s sport.
Sixways, a place we call home for Warriors Women
Finally, Sixways will remain the venue for all of Warriors Women’s home games and the club will stop at nothing to drive standards in relation to facilities for women’s sport to grow.
Peter Kelly, Managing Director at Worcester Warriors, said: “This commitment forms part of a wider strategy that we are rolling out over the coming season, with the aim of progressing women’s sport through Warriors Women.
“As part of the club’s strategy, Warriors Women Team Manager Josh Payne has become General Manager, with responsibility for driving the women’s strategy through the continued growth of women’s rugby at Worcester Warriors alongside his work in the women’s performance programme.”
Josh Payne, Warriors Women General Manager, said: “We are thrilled to launch this campaign and support those in our community, our club, and in women’s sport as we continue to fulfil the club’s mission and create a legacy of which all our Warriors family can enjoy for generations to come.”