LEICESTER TIGERS

Tasked with building the club’s first-ever women’s team from the ground up, Leicester Tigers first turned to former England international Vicky Macqueen. Duly appointed Head of Women’s Rugby, ‘Macca’ set to work establishing the squad and a women’s programme.

Partnering with Lichfield RFC, trailblazers in the women’s game, many of their players formed the bedrock for the wider squad and establish a pathway for younger players. Additionally, Macqueen opened her book of contacts, bringing in former top-level players like Ofure Ugiagbe and Becky Noon who hadn’t played rugby for a number of years. Finally, following three trial days for prospective members and, following a lengthy selection process, Leicester Tigers’ first-ever women’s team was born.

In their first year in operation, the club were committed to boosting women’s rugby across the Midlands. On a participation level, over 7,500 women and girls engaged with our sport, equating to over 11,000 hours of delivery solely dedicated to local women and girls and the introduction of our first-ever Girls Masterclasses and Residential Camps.

On the field, the team was victorious in Championship North 1, lifting the trophy following an undefeated league season, while in their maiden Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season Tigers have claimed memorable victories over Sale Sharks, a first ever Premiership win and against Loughborough Lightning in a first-ever derby victory