Harlequins have announced the signing of ten development players who will join the senior squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The group of ten players, seven of which are direct graduates from Quins’ Centre of Excellence (CofE) spent preseason on trial in Amy Turner’s squad.
Freya Bell
Position: Centre / Fly Half
DOB: 26/10/04 (18)
Previous club: Horsham RFC (Harlequins CofE)
Chloe Benjamin
Position: Back Row
DOB: 30/06/04 (19)
Previous club: Old Albanian Saints
Emily Blackburn
Position: Centre
DOB: 29/07/05 (18)
Previous club: Basingstoke RFC (Harlequins CofE)
Lily Christiansen
Position: Second Row
DOB: 01/10/04 (18)
Previous club: Dubai Sharks
Maria Hamilton-Eadie
Position: Centre/ Wing
DOB: 17/09/04 (19)
Previous club: Chobham RFC (Harlequins CofE)
Florence Neller
Position: Scrum-Half
DOB: 14/09/04 (19)
Previous club: Trojans RFC (Harlequins CofE)
Rebecca Grogut
Position: Wing / Full Back
DOB: 06/07/05 (18)
Previous club: Farnham RFC (Harlequins CofE)
Tyla Shirley
Position: Back Row
DOB: 02/09/04 (19)
Previous club: Hove RFC (Harlequins CofE)
Emma Wedervang
Position: Lock / Back Row
DOB: 30/11/98 (24)
Previous club: London Irish
Phoebe Wheadon
Position: Hooker
DOB: 16/02/05 (18)
Previous club: Worthing RFC & Worthing College (Harlequins CofE)
India King, Bluebell Nicholls and Hannah Owen will also join the squad for the Allianz Cup block as dual registered players. King joins Quins from the Army, whilst Nicholls and Owen herald from Richmond and London Irish respectively.
Harlequins Attack and Transition Coach Ross Chisholm said: “After a really strong preseason, we’re thrilled to be able to add ten exciting development players to this squad. To have seven players graduate from our Centre of Excellence into the senior squad is testament to the strength of our pathway.
“It’s a long season and so having strength in depth is crucial for us, particularly when we have players away in International camps. We’ve already seen fantastic development from these players since they arrived with us nine weeks ago, so I’m looking forward to watching them continue to grow as part of this squad.”
