How Gloucester-Hartpury's youth pathway is fuelling their third title bid

Andrew Ford believes Gloucester-Hartpury’s young talent pathway is crucial for their pursuit of a third consecutive Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby title.

Attack coach Ford splits his time between the defending champions’ senior team and heading up Hartpury University’s women’s programme which has nurtured a number of Red Roses.

With the 2024-25 season just around the corner, Ford insists supporting the growth of young stars has proven key to the Cherry and Whites’ success.

“I think [the pathway] is one of our biggest strengths,” said Ford. “We knew Gloucester was a massive hub of rugby a few years ago.

“When [head coach] Sean Lynn and I came onboard we really looked at what the pathway had to offer. We had the best players in the country in it, we were just losing them.

“So we strengthened that up over the last couple of years and it is vital.”

The approach reaped dividends for the club last season as pathway graduates featured heavily in their latest title-winning campaign.

Pip Hendy, Georgia Brock and 2024 Young Player of the Season Steph Else are among the uncapped players selected for John Mitchell’s first preseason Red Roses training camp that cut their teeth in the Gloucester-Hartpury set-up.

“Pip is a great example,” added Ford. “She came through the pathway at 16 and had a little taste of Gloucester-Hartpury at 18.

“She has been working hard through the England pathway and the university programme and when a chance has happened, she has taken it – there are loads of other girls in the same boat.”

Gloucester-Hartpury enter this season with back-to-back titles in their pocket but Ford maintains that the team will not focus on expectations of a third.

“I don’t think we are putting any pressure on ourselves; we are fully aware that the league is getting stronger which is exactly what we want,” said Ford. “We want competitive games every weekend and I think that is exactly what you are going to get this year with the PWR.

“We have had two very good seasons, we understand that we are going to have some tough games this year, we will probably lose a few games this year but ultimately our goal is to finish in that top four and we would love for another home semi-final at Kingsholm.”

The wait is over 🚨

Premiership Women's Rugby fixtures for 2024-25 are now out!

Tap below to find out who your club will be facing 👇#PWRFixturesDay | #PWR

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) August 14, 2024

Ford and Lynn’s squad begin their campaign with a notable first fixture, as PWR today confirms showdowns for its opening six rounds.

They get underway in front of TNT cameras against Leicester Tigers, who finished ninth in their debut season, for the second women’s edition of the Slater Cup.

The historic fixture will once again support former captain of both clubs Ed Slater in his fight with Motor Neurone disease and will put scintillating rugby on display.

“It’s a very meaningful fixture for the whole of Gloucester and it’s something the girls and the lads will really get behind,” said Ford. “Ed is a fantastic character and the way that Gloucester gets around something like this is really brings us together.

“We really want to grow our attendances this year and want to help make sure that people come down and watch because we think we play an exciting brand of rugby and everyone who comes to watch us always says how much they have enjoyed it, whether it’s their first time or their 20th time.”