Introducing the Worcester Valkyries - The Worcester Observer

Introducing the Worcester Valkyries

Worcester Editorial 11th May, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

WORCESTER Ladies have become part of the Warriors organisation and will be renamed as the Worcester Valkyries ahead of the 2016/17 Women’s Premiership campaign.

The alliance will create a joined-up approach to male and female elite rugby in the city, while providing a pathway for female players within Worcester Ladies and Girls’ section to play at the top level of the women’s game.

Warriors will also provide Worcester Valkyries’ operating budget which includes coaching, kit, transport, promotion and other resources.

The Valkyries will play in a new female-cut Under Armour kit in the 2016/17 season and will play some of their games on the new artificial pitch at Sixways alongside Warriors’ matches.




Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole said: “We see this as a significant development in our overall role within rugby in Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

“We now have a very clear pathway from girls under the age of 13 up to the elite level of the game via the amateur club’s ladies and girls sections and ultimately, up to the Valkyries in the Women’s Premiership.


“Hosting back-to-back games with Warriors and the Valkyries will provide supporters with some bumper matchdays as well as better value for money, while also increasing the fanbase of the women’s game.”

Lydia Thompson, Worcester Ladies winger and England Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, said: “It’s an exciting time for all the girls and it’s certainly going to transform women’s rugby in Worcester.

“We’re all really looking forward to playing at Sixways in front of bigger crowds and by building our support, it will help improve our game moving forward.

“I can’t wait to put my boots on for the new season and step out onto the new pitch.”

Worcester Ladies have been one of the top sides in the Women’s Premiership over recent campaigns, winning it for the first time in 2012/13 and finishing in the top four in the past three seasons.

Worcester Valkyries manager Dave Guest said: “This is a major step forward in taking women’s rugby to the next level in Worcester.

“Nationally, there has been growth in ladies and girls rugby since England won the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup and we aim to take every opportunity to facilitate this continuing trend in Worcestershire by working alongside Warriors.

“Our girls have done a fantastic job in recent seasons and the goal now is to continue that upward spiral in challenging Saracens and Richmond at the top of the table.”

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