Gloucester-Hartpury Women Explained
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
2014–2017: Formation & Early Years
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.
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
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
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
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
Current squad
The Gloucester-Hartpury squad for the 2023–24 season is:[18] [19]
List of head coaches
| width=130 | Name | width=95 | From | width=95 | To | width=35 | P | width=35 | W | width=35 | D | width=35 | L | width=35 | | width=175 | Honours | width=35 | |
|---|
| Susie Appleby | 2014 | January 2020 | 67 | 45 | 2 | 21 | 66.18 | 2016–17 Women's Championship Midlands 2 | [20] |
| Sean Lynn | January 2020 | | 89 | 62 | 1 | 26 | 69.66 | 2022–23 PWR
2023–24 PWR | [21] [22] | |
NotesSeason records & summaries
Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
| Season Records 2015–2024 |
|---|
| Season | | | | | |
|---|
| 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
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< | -- Opposition | Span | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | w% | Points For | Average points for | Points Against | Worst points difference | Worst points difference | Result--> |
|---|
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 72.73% | 305 | 27.72 | 170 | 46 (2018–19) | -38 (2018–19) |
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 90.00% | 561 | 56.1 | 69 | 84 (2021–22) | -14 (2018–19) |
| align=left | | 2020–2023 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | 172 | 24.57 | 164 | 20 (2020–21) | -39 (2022–23) |
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 30.00% | 226 | 22.6 | 308 | 53 (2022–23) | -62 (2018–19) |
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 30.00% | 288 | 28.8 | 286 | 29 (2017–18) | -19 (2018–19) |
| align=left | | 2017–2019 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | 126 | 31.5 | 56 | 46 (2018–19) | 0 (2018–19) |
| align=left | | 2020–2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 194 | 32.33 | 66 | 34 (2022–23) | 3 (2020–21) |
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 8.33% | 250 | 20.83 | 432 | 46 (2022–23) | -62 (2017–18) |
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 33.33% | 250 | 27.78 | 198 | 64 (2022–23) | -17 (2018–19) |
| align=left | | 2017–2019 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 168 | 42 | 62 | 34 (2017–18) | 7 (2017–18) |
| align=left | | 2017–2023 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 413 | 41.3 | 80 | 80 (2017–18) | 3 (2021–22) |
| Bottom | 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
Below is a non-exhaustive list of former players for the club who have been particularly notable during their time at the club.
Rugby World Cup
The following are players who have represented their countries at the Rugby World Cup whilst playing for Gloucester-Hartpury:
Notes and References
- Web site: Gloucester & Hartpury join for women’s rugby . Severn Sport . 21 April 2014 . 31 March 2017 . 25 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200825181720/http://severnsport.co.uk/gloucester-hartpury-join-for-womens-rugby/ . live .
- Web site: Burrows . Tom . Gloucester-Hartpury Ladies Team confirm fixtures for the 2016–17 season. . Gloucester Rugby . 5 July 2016 . 31 March 2017 . 25 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200825181627/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/mobile/gloucester-hartpury/12672.php . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women . Womens Club Rugby . 22 July 2020 . 22 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200722201713/https://womensclubrugby.com/team/gloucester-hartpury-women/ . dead .
- Web site: The history of rugby through its competitions . Rugbyarchive.net . 31 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180319173734/http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/Squadre.aspx?ID=3795 . 19 March 2018 . live .
- Web site: Lichfield Ladies left out of new premier women's rugby competition . ITV . 10 March 2017 . 31 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170331050901/http://www.itv.com/news/central/2017-03-10/lichfield-ladies-left-out-of-new-premier-womens-rugby-competition/ . 31 March 2017 . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury grab one of ten places as Women’s Premiership rugby reinvents itself . Hartpury.ac.uk . 31 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170916225523/http://www.hartpury.ac.uk/news/2017/02/gloucester-hartpury-grab-one-of-ten-places-as-women-s-premiership-rugby-reinvents-itself/ . 16 September 2017 . live .
- Web site: Rugby Football Union announces 10-team Women's Super Rugby competition . ESPN . 28 February 2017 . 31 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032411/http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/18789392/rugby-football-union-announces-10-team-women-super-rugby-competition . 17 September 2017 . live .
- News: Lichfield Ladies left out of new premier women's rugby competition . 25 August 2020 . ITV . 9 March 2017 . 7 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185411/https://www.itv.com/news/central/2017-03-10/lichfield-ladies-left-out-of-new-premier-womens-rugby-competition/ . live .
- Web site: Fiona . Tomas . Women's rugby: Chronicle columnist Fiona Tomas examines the RFU's controversial changes to the women's game . Reading Chronicle . 28 February 2017 . 31 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032702/http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/15131865.Women_s_rugby__Chronicle_columnist_Fiona_Tomas_examines_the_RFU_s_controversial_changes_to_the_women_s_game/ . 17 September 2017 . live .
- News: Gloucester-Hartpury to receive increased funding from Gloucester Rugby . 6 November 2023 . . en . 6 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106222022/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/gloucester-hartpury-to-receive-increased-funding-from-gloucester-rugby . live .
- News: Gloucester-Hartpury to receive increased funding from Gloucester Rugby . 6 November 2023 . . 7 June 2022 . 14 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014010805/https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/news/2022/06/gloucester-hartpury-to-receive-increased-funding-from-gloucester-rugby/ . live .
- News: James Forrester appointed Gloucester-Hartpury CEO . 6 November 2023 . . en . 6 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106222027/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/james-forrester-appointed-gloucester-hartpury-ceo . live .
- News: Gloucester-Hartpury 34-19 Exeter Chiefs: Cherry and Whites win Premier 15s final at 'Queensholm' . . 24 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . en-UK . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624185023/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66009138 . live .
- News: Home of Gloucester Rugby becomes Queensholm this week . . 19 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . en-UK.
- News: Gloucester-Hartpury triumph in enthralling Premier 15s final . . 24 June 2023 . 24 June 2023 . en-UK . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624232545/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/06/24/gloucester-hartpury-vs-exeter-result-premier-15s-final/ . live .
- Web site: Premiership Women's Rugby Launched To Kick Off A New Era For Women's Rugby In England . 27 June 2023 . www.thepwr.com . 27 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627204528/https://www.thepwr.com/news/article/premiership-womens-rugby-launched . dead.
- News: McLaughlin . Luke . Gloucester-Hartpury seal comeback against Bristol to retain PWR title . 28 June 2024 . The Observer . 22 June 2024.
- Web site: Squad List. Gloucester Rugby. 4 October 2023. 5 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231005163016/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/teams/women/squad-list. live.
- Web site: WXV squads revealed. Gloucester Rugby. 4 October 2023. 5 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231005163016/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/wxv-squads-revealed. live.
- Web site: End of an era at Gloucester-Hartpury as Susie Appleby bids a fond farewell . . 13 November 2023 . en . 7 January 2020 . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113153838/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOyltsMQog8 . live .
- News: Sean Lynn announced as Head of Women’s Rugby at Hartpury . 13 November 2023 . . en . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113153839/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/sean-lynn-announced-as-head-of-womens-rugby-at-hartpury-30110 . live .
- News: Sean Lynn King of Hartpury . 13 November 2023 . . en . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113153842/https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/get-to-know-sean-lynn . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Table 2015-2016 . 18 January 2023 . www.englandrugby.com . 30 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430181130/https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=8668&season=2015-2016#table . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Table 2016-2017 . 18 January 2023 . www.englandrugby.com . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118192942/https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=8668&season=2016-2017#table . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2015-16 . . 18 April 2024 . 30 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430181130/https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=8668&season=2015-2016#stats . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2016-17 . . 18 April 2024 . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118192942/https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=8668&season=2016-2017#stats . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2017-18 . . 18 April 2024.
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2018-19 . . 18 April 2024.
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2020-21 . . 18 April 2024.
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2021-22 . . 18 April 2024 . 17 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417235634/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.2f70fb173b9000da126c79afe2098f02.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.englandrugby.com#stats . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2022-23 . . 18 April 2024 . 28 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828185451/https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=8668&season=2022-2023#stats . live .
- Web site: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Stats 2023-24 . . 28 June 2024.
- News: Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Results . . 28 August 2023 . en-UK . 28 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828185451/https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=8668&season=2022-2023#results . live .
- News: Zoe Aldcroft and Antoine Dupont named World Rugby's players of the year for 2021 . . 10 December 2021 . 22 August 2023 . en-UK . 22 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822185005/https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12491892/zoe-aldcroft-and-antoine-dupont-named-world-rugbys-players-of-the-year-for-2021 . live .
- News: England Women’s Rugby World Cup final will be extra special for Gloucestershire . soglos.com . 11 November 2022 . 22 August 2023 . en-UK . 22 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822185008/https://www.soglos.com/news/entertainment/england-womens-rugby-world-cup-final-will-be-extra-special-for-gloucestershire/20731/ . live .
