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Full name | Gloucester-Hartpury Women's Rugby Football Club | |
---|---|---|
Union | Gloucestershire RFU | |
Nickname(s) | The Circus Cherry and Whites | |
Founded | 2014 | |
Ground(s) | The Hartpury Arena Kingsholm Stadium | |
CEO | James Forrester | |
Coach(es) | Sean Lynn | |
Captain(s) | Natasha Hunt Zoe Aldcroft | |
League(s) | Premiership Women's Rugby | |
2023–24 | 1st (Champions) | |
| ||
First match | ||
Gloucester-Hartpury 36–22 Worcester Warriors Women II (Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester) 13 September 2015 | ||
Largest win | ||
Birmingham Moseley Ladies 0–95 Gloucester-Hartpury (Billesley Common, Moseley) 11 September 2016 | ||
Largest defeat | ||
Gloucester-Hartpury 0–62 Saracens Women (The ALPAS Arena, Hartpury) 7 April 2018 Harlequins Women 62–0 Gloucester-Hartpury (Twickenham Stoop, Twickenham) 30 March 2019 | ||
Official website | ||
www |
Gloucester-Hartpury Women's Rugby Football Club are an English women's rugby union club based in Hartpury, Gloucestershire. They are the unified women's team of Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury University R.F.C. They were founded in 2014 and since 2017 they have played in Premiership Women's Rugby.
History[edit]
2014–2017: Formation & Early Years[edit]
In 2014, Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury College came together to found a women's team to be run under the jurisdiction of Gloucester Rugby to capitalise upon the popularity of women's rugby in the area. Hartpury College already had a women's team competing in the BUCS rugby union leagues.[1]
In their first year, Gloucester-Hartpury only played friendly matches, some of which were at Gloucester Rugby's home ground Kingsholm Stadium,[2] whilst the Rugby Football Union decided which league to place them in. The team started with numbers as low as 4 and grew into a much bigger squad. The first captain was Stacy Payne (Hardie) and the vice-captain was Jessica Morgan. The team won the Junior Cup in their first season.[citation needed]
In 2015, the RFU placed them in National 2 South West.[3] In their first season they finished second in the league.[4] The following season, they were unbeaten.[5]
2017–2023: Premier 15's[edit]
In 2017, to take advantage of an increase in women's rugby participation following England's victory in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup,[6] it was announced that Gloucester-Hartpury Women were awarded a franchise in the new women's top flight, the Premier 15s, as part of a reorganisation of women's rugby in England, despite never competing in the Women's Premiership or Women's Championship and moving up two leagues as a result. This was controversial as, despite the franchises being awarded by an independent body,[7] Gloucester-Hartpury Women were awarded the position in top flight at the expense of Lichfield Ladies who had been competing in the top flight of English women's rugby for 15 years.[8] There was speculation that this was due to geographical considerations.[9]
2022–2023: Increased funding & Premier 15's success[edit]
Ahead of the 2022-23 Premier 15s season, Gloucester Rugby announced a significant increase in funding to Gloucester-Hartpury by almost 500%, matching an enhanced contribution from Hartpury University. It was also announced that both the men's and the women's team would wear the same design kit.[10][11] Former Gloucester player and Gloucester-Hartpury coach James Forrester was appointed CEO of the team in 2023.[12]
In 2023, the team won the Premier 15s by beating Exeter Chiefs Women. By doing so, Gloucester-Hartpury became the first team based outside of London to win.[13] The final was held at Kingsholm Stadium, renamed 'Queensholm' for the occasion.[14] The final drew a crowd of over 9,600 spectators, setting a new record and tripling the finals attendance of the previous season.[15]
2023–Present: Premiership Women's Rugby[edit]
Premier 15s rebranded as Premiership Women's Rugby for the 2023–24 season onwards.[16] Gloucester-Hartpury improved their form from the previous season winning 15 out of the 16 regualar season games. Gloucester-Hartpury went on to win the final against Bristol Bears 36–24 becoming the second team after Saracens to win two titles in a row.[17]
Club honours[edit]
- Premiership Women's Rugby
- Women's Championship Midlands 2
- Champions: (1) 2016–17
- Runners-up: (1) 2015–16
Current squad[edit]
The Gloucester-Hartpury squad for the 2023–24 season is:[18][19]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
List of head coaches[edit]
- As of 22 June 2024
Name | From | To | P | W | D | L | Win % | Honours | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
2014[N 1] | January 2020[N 2] | 67 | 45 | 2 | 21 | 66.18 | 2016–17 Women's Championship Midlands 2 | [20] |
![]() |
January 2020[N 2] | 89 | 62 | 1 | 26 | 69.66 | 2022–23 PWR 2023–24 PWR |
[21][22] |
Notes
- ^ Results from the 2014–15 season are not included as no record was kept.
- ^ a b Although Appleby left her role in January 2020, no results from the 2019–20 season are included as the season was annulled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, while Lynn joined part-way through the 2019–20 season, results start from the 2020–21 season.
Season records & summaries[edit]
League | Cup | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Competition | Final position | Points | Play-offs | Competition | Performance |
2015–16 | Women's Championship Midlands 2 | 2nd[23] | 56 | - | No competition | N/A |
2016–17 | Women's Championship Midlands 2 | 1st[24] | 58 | - | ||
2017–18 | Tyrrells Premier 15s | 4th | 60 | Semi-final | ||
2018–19 | Tyrrells Premier 15s | 5th | 50 | - | ||
2019–20 | Tyrrells Premier 15s | Season Annulled | ||||
2020–21 | Allianz Premier 15s | 5th | 50 | - | ||
2021–22 | Allianz Premier 15s | 6th | 51 | - | Allianz Cup | 5th |
2022–23 | Allianz Premier 15s | 1st | 79 | Champions | Allianz Cup | 4th |
2023–24 | Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby | 1st | 76 | Champions | Allianz Cup | 3rd |
Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
Season Records 2015–2024 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | P | W | D | L | Ref |
2015–16 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | [25] |
2016–17 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 1 | [26] |
2017–18 | 19 | 11 | 1 | 8 | [27] |
2018–19 | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | [28] |
2019–20 | Season annulled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
2020–21 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | [29] |
2021–22 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | [30] |
2022–23 | 25 | 20 | 0 | 5 | [31] |
2023–24 | 24 | 21 | 0 | 3 | [32] |
Notes | |||||
* Season still in progress Updated to matches played on or before 22 June 2024 |
Results per opposition[edit]
The following table details the past performance of Gloucester-Hartpury against different opponents in Premiership Women's Rugby, between the start of the 2017-18 season and the end of the 2022–23 season.[33]
Premiership Women's Rugby | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win% | Points for | Average PF | Points against | Best points difference | Worst points difference | ||
Bristol | 2017–2023 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 72.73% | 305 | 27.72 | 170 | 46 (2018–19) | -38 (2018–19) | ||
DMP Sharks | 2017–2023 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 90.00% | 561 | 56.1 | 69 | 84 (2021–22) | -14 (2018–19) | ||
Exeter Chiefs | 2020–2023 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | 172 | 24.57 | 164 | 20 (2020–21) | -39 (2022–23) | ||
Harlequins | 2017–2023 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 30.00% | 226 | 22.6 | 308 | 53 (2022–23) | -62 (2018–19) | ||
Loughborough Lightning | 2017–2023 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 30.00% | 288 | 28.8 | 286 | 29 (2017–18) | -19 (2018–19) | ||
Richmond | 2017–2019 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | 126 | 31.5 | 56 | 46 (2018–19) | 0 (2018–19) | ||
Sale Sharks | 2020–2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 194 | 32.33 | 66 | 34 (2022–23) | 3 (2020–21) | ||
Saracens | 2017–2023 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 8.33% | 250 | 20.83 | 432 | 46 (2022–23) | -62 (2017–18) | ||
Wasps | 2017–2023 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 33.33% | 250 | 27.78 | 198 | 64 (2022–23) | -17 (2018–19) | ||
Waterloo | 2017–2019 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 168 | 42 | 62 | 34 (2017–18) | 7 (2017–18) | ||
Worcester | 2017–2023 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 413 | 41.3 | 80 | 80 (2017–18) | 3 (2021–22) | ||
Overall | – | 93 | 55 | 3 | 35 | 59.14% | 2953 | 31.75 | 1891 | 84 vs DMP Sharks (2021–22) | -62 vs Saracens (2017–18) & vs Harlequins (2018–19) |
- Data includes all regular season and play-off matches (semi-finals and finals).
- The 2019–20 season is excluded due to it being abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- All fixtures added from 2017–18 to 2022–23.
- Excludes Allianz Cup results.
Notable players[edit]
Below is a non-exhaustive list of former players for the club who have been particularly notable during their time at the club.
Zoe Aldcroft, 2021 World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year and played in 2021 Rugby World Cup final both while at Gloucester-Hartpury.[34][35]
Alex Matthews, played in 2021 Rugby World Cup final while at Gloucester-Hartpury.[35]
Maud Muir, played in 2021 Rugby World Cup final while at Gloucester-Hartpury.[35]
Tatyana Heard, played in 2021 Rugby World Cup final while at Gloucester-Hartpury.[35]
Rugby World Cup[edit]
The following are players who have represented their countries at the Rugby World Cup whilst playing for Gloucester-Hartpury:
Tournament | Players selected | ![]() |
Other national team players |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 17 | Zoe Aldcroft, Connie Powell, Alex Matthews, Tatyana Heard, Maud Muir | ![]() ![]() |
References[edit]
- ^ "Gloucester & Hartpury join for women's rugby". Severn Sport. 21 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ Burrows, Tom (5 July 2016). "Gloucester-Hartpury Ladies Team confirm fixtures for the 2016–17 season". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women". Womens Club Rugby. Archived from the original on 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ^ "The history of rugby through its competitions". Rugbyarchive.net. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Lichfield Ladies left out of new premier women's rugby competition". ITV. 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury grab one of ten places as Women's Premiership rugby reinvents itself". Hartpury.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Rugby Football Union announces 10-team Women's Super Rugby competition". ESPN. 28 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Lichfield Ladies left out of new premier women's rugby competition". ITV. 9 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ Tomas, Fiona (28 February 2017). "Women's rugby: Chronicle columnist Fiona Tomas examines the RFU's controversial changes to the women's game". Reading Chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury to receive increased funding from Gloucester Rugby". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury to receive increased funding from Gloucester Rugby". Hartpury University. 7 June 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "James Forrester appointed Gloucester-Hartpury CEO". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury 34-19 Exeter Chiefs: Cherry and Whites win Premier 15s final at 'Queensholm'". BBC Sport. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Home of Gloucester Rugby becomes Queensholm this week". Gloucestershire Live. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury triumph in enthralling Premier 15s final". The Daily Telegraph. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Premiership Women's Rugby Launched To Kick Off A New Era For Women's Rugby In England". www.thepwr.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ McLaughlin, Luke (22 June 2024). "Gloucester-Hartpury seal comeback against Bristol to retain PWR title". The Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Squad List". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "WXV squads revealed". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "End of an era at Gloucester-Hartpury as Susie Appleby bids a fond farewell". Youtube. 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Sean Lynn announced as Head of Women's Rugby at Hartpury". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Sean Lynn | King of Hartpury". Gloucester Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Table 2015-2016". www.englandrugby.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Table 2016-2017". www.englandrugby.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2015-16". Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2016-17". Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2017-18". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2018-19". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2020-21". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2021-22". Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2022-23". Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2023-24". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Results". RFU. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Zoe Aldcroft and Antoine Dupont named World Rugby's players of the year for 2021". Sky Sports. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "England Women's Rugby World Cup final will be extra special for Gloucestershire". soglos.com. 11 November 2022. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.