THE second season for the Basingstoke RFC Ladies side is now underway, after a first season that saw them promoted into National Challenge Two, the squad have been working hard in pre-season, welcoming a lot of new players to the Club, a good mix of brand new players and a good few with prior experience.

The Club have recognised the success of the Ladies and have now appointed Sheree Cooper as Chair of Ladies Playing to the Club Board, Cooper will oversee the continued growth of the ladies section at Basingstoke RFC and will be working hard with Russell Amos, our Head of Girls Rugby to ensure local girls can progress through the system into the new senior ladies side.

Head Coach Steve Parker said “It’s been a great start to pre-season with lots of new players. We had a development friendly last week where we gave debuts to six girls who had never played the game before, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“I’m looking forward to the season ahead, National Challenge Two will be a good step up for the Ladies, and we’ve also entered the RFU Junior Cup. This season we’ve also seen three girls Flora Carpenter, Ella Wilson and Helena Ironton, who have graduated from the under-18s into the senior side.

“This is superb news for the Club as a whole, we now have a defined pathway for girls at the club and this can only help us grow further.”

With RFU Support on the August 30 at 7pm we will be holding another “InnerWarrior” taster event and we encourage all ladies who want to try rugby, get back into rugby or who are looking for a friendly local club to come down and take part.

Parker added: “The Ladies outdid themselves last year in getting promoted, given that 90 per cent of the squad being brand new to the game. I am excited to see what this season brings and how far the Ladies can progress.”

Basingstoke RFC Ladies train Monday and Wednesdays at the club from 7pm to 8.30pm, for more information email Sheree Cooper, Chair of Ladies Playing ladies@basingstokerfc.com