Richmond Women’s Rugby Football Club, winners of last year’s Rugby World National Cup final and the National Sevens, has secured an exciting and experienced coaching team for the upcoming 2006/2007 season to ensure the club delivers its promise to achieve individual player and team development.
The club’s three lead coaches Simon Crabb, Duncan Simpson and Mark Francis, who also led the girls to National 15s and 7s titles last year, will be joined by a further six specialist coaches who will help with individual development and mentoring.
With more than fifty years experience coaching women’s rugby union and league, Crabb, Simpson and Francis hope to again lead the club to success, as they did during Richmond’s most successful era from 1986-1998 when Crabb and Francis guided Richmond to back to back league and cup honours. Both have also coached internationally, Mark for Scotland, and Simon for England.
Each of Richmond’s three teams will be led by a dedicated coaching duo with support from the club’s specialist coaches. These include a number of retired internationalists with them many years of experience at the very top of the women’s game, as well as an unshakable passion for the club.
Helen Street and Sharon Whitehead of England are amongst those confirmed for next season. In addition Scotland’s Lisa O’Keefe joins the coaching set up having already achieved success coaching women’s sides at representative levels. Former Scotland captain Karen Findlay also intends to join the team as she plans to hang up her playing boots after this autumn’s IRB Women’s World Cup.
Richmond have also recruited the services of Paul Hardwick, a specialist backs and kicking coach, who will be delivering positional and skills clinics, as well as dedicated Richmond follower Ian Mullaney who also brings with him experience of coaching women’s rugby.
With the coaching staff in place, the club’s pre season training is well underway. All newcomers are welcome to attend the sessions which take place every Sunday from 11am at Old Deer Park, Richmond. With the emphasis is on fun, training involves a variety of ball games, from football to rounders, to improve skills and help everyone get to know each other. Either turn up at training or email women_info@richmondfc.co.uk for more information.
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