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Leicester Tigers will launch a women’s rugby team in the new season, the club have confirmed.
Recruitment is to begin as the club look to attract top-level athletes to their new programme, although a press release on the matter doesn’t indicate in which competition the women’s will be competing in 2021/22.
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Vicky Macqueen will become Head of Women’s Rugby and the club is also looking to recruit a women’s and girls’ rugby development officer and team manager among other key roles.
From Hinckley in Leicestershire, Macqueen is an RFU Level 4 coach, the founder of didi rugby UK and recipient of the British Empire Medal for her work in women’s rugby. She earned 34 caps for England in Tests and Sevens rugby during a five-year international career,
A statement reads: “The club is currently working on the governance and logistics of running the women’s team while investigating playing opportunities in 2021/22 which will include seeing a Leicester Tigers women’s team run out at Mattioli Woods Welford Road for the first time.
“Tigers are also calling on supporters to get involved however they can to help make this initiative a great success.
Leicester Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen said: “One of the driving forces at the Tigers is to promote the game of rugby at all levels within our community and we are delighted to be able to announce the formation of a women’s team and a major programme to develop the women’s game in our region.
“Rugby is an inclusive sport with a wide appeal and we want Tigers to inspire women and girls of all abilities to get involved in the game, and to provide an opportunity for them to wear the Leicester Tigers shirt and run out to play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
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“Everyone in rugby is rightly proud of the success of the England women’s team and many of the squad in recent years have had links with our region, including Vicky Macqueen, Vicky Fleetwood and Emily Scarratt, the 2019 World Player of the Year.
“They are the role models who can inspire others to play, but only if they are given exciting opportunities to do so, and that is what we aim to provide with a Tigers women’s rugby programme.
“Vicky Macqueen has great experience of the game at the elite level but also in the grassroots, and she will now focus on recruiting a squad and establishing a team for its inaugural season while the club provides the facilities and the opportunities to grow the game, including the appointment of a women’s and girls’ rugby development officer who will deliver coaching sessions to support our clubs and schools.
“This is a big project to get off the ground, especially in the circumstances of the last 18 months, but it is one we are committed to and we know it is one that will be warmly welcomed by the Tigers Family.
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“We’re looking for anyone that wants to get involved to get in touch with the club. Whether they are prospective players, coaches or businesses who can provide support to make this a great programme.”
Macqueen said: “I’m really excited about the whole prospect being realised for Leicester Tigers and Leicestershire women’s rugby. Developing the game in this area has always been so close to my heart.
“This starting point is really exciting because it is such a great opportunity. It is a huge challenge but an exciting challenge.
“We want to put the foundations in and create a culture in line with the Leicester Tigers culture.
“Seeing the women’s game grow in recent years has been phenomenal and now we have an opportunity to create a pathway in our region from the grassroots to the elite game. Key to a good pathway is the right coaching, the right recruitment and to give talent opportunities.
“This is a very strong sporting county and the aim is to grow that talent here, develop it and let players see a pathway here.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
1 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
1 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
43 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
43 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
43 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments