Trailfinders Women

After successfully winning their tender last year to join Premiership Women’s Rugby ahead of the 2023-24 season, Trailfinders Women have made no delay in assembling an exciting team for their inaugural year in the league, under experienced Director of Rugby Giselle Mather (above with new signing Abby Dow).

Despite being one of the new sides in the league, there is no shortage of international talent. The Trailfinders made a statement with their first signing, by announcing Red Rose and two time World Rugby Women's 15s Dream Team of the Year player, Abby Dow as the first athlete joining the new team. This was then backed up by two more Red Roses, Liz Crake and Rowena Burnfield; Japanese International Kie Tamai; Canada’s Tyson Beukeboom; France’s Elisa Riffonneau and USA Eagle Meya Bizer.

The club will have an incredibly close link to the men’s programme, with Mather and Men’s Director of Rugby Ben Ward sharing ideas and a coaching philosophy. There will also be an overlap on the women’s coaching team, with Men’s Forwards Coach Brett Wilkinson assisting with the scrum, and regular men’s match day captain Barney Maddison being appointed Forwards, Line-out and Breakdown Coach. Former Red Rose and Bristol Bears Women Head Coach Kim Oliver will be responsible for the skills and the Trailfinders pathway, experienced Premier 15s coach Oli Bishop is in charge of defence and the U23s, while Pat Metcalfe-Jones will assist Maddison with the line-out and Bishop with the defence.

Much like the men’s programme, Trailfinders Women also have clear links with educational institutes. The Trailfinders Rugby Academy is based out of Brunel University, with the side being promoted to BUCS Women’s Premier South, the second tier of Women’s University rugby. They also have partnerships with Henley College and Cardinal Newman as well as supporting rugby clubs like Farnham, Medway and Old Reigatian who all have thriving girl’s sections and are designated Places of Development (PODs).

The club’s state of the art facilities, coaching and playing squad mean they will be an exciting addition to Premiership Women’s Rugby.