Tom Hudson to lead women's programme at Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers can confirm the coaching team for the club’s senior women’s squad ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

The programme will be led by Tom Hudson, who steps up to the role of Head Coach for the club’s second campaign as part of the English women’s top tier.

Hudson, who played senior rugby for Leicester and Gloucester before moving into coaching, was the Senior Coach in the club’s debut season as part of Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby. Before joining Tigers, he was Head Coach at Ampthill Rugby in the Championship and Club Lead Coach at Cheltenham Tigers, working with women’s and men’s players.

Luke Stratford is Hudson’s Assistant Coach, a change in role from Forwards Coach last season.

Stratford joined Tigers alongside Hudson ahead of the 23/24 campaign after previously working as Head Coach at Longlevens RFC and coaching roles with Hartpury University and Cirencester RFC.

Kingsley Morgans remains the programme’s Lead Analyst, while Mitchell Cook is the women’s new Strength & Conditioning Lead after working as part of the staff last season.

During the off-season, the club farewelled Head of Women’s Rugby Vicky Macqueen and Head of Strength & Conditioning Lewis Knight from the women’s staff, who had worked as part of the foundation staffing group that saw the side promoted from the Championship to Premiership.

Following a review of the programme’s operations, structure and spending at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, the changes were made to better align the women’s and men’s rugby at Leicester Tigers, while ensuring a sustainable future for the club in the top-tier for both squads. Oversight of the programme will be the responsibility of General Manager Richard Wilks moving forward, alongside his duties with the men’s senior and academy programmes.

Speaking about the changes, Leicester Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said: "We are pleased to be able to confirm the make-up of the women's coaching team ahead of their second Premiership season."

"The smooth transition of Tom into the lead role provides continuity for our players, and the staff supporting him, as they look to continue and build on the improvement we have seen from this group since the introduction of women's rugby at Leicester Tigers only two years ago.

"Tom, having spent the early days of playing career here at Leicester Tigers, understands this club and the expectations that come with representing it and our supporters. I am excited to see this programme continue to grow from strength to strength under his guidance in the year ahead.

"On behalf of everybody at the club, I want to thank Vicky, Lewis and all those involved in our debut Premiership season for their part in building the foundations on which we now move forward. They all played a crucial part in the establishment of a women's programme for the club and we are grateful for their tireless efforts in that."

The women’s squad commence pre-season training today (Monday, July 15) ahead of the 2024-25 season.