Harlequins Women have confirmed Aoife Wafer as the Women’s Club Captain ahead of the start of the 206/27 season.
The back-row takes over from the recently retired Jade Konkel and becomes the third captain of the elite era and the 18th captain of Harlequins Women.
Wafer made a huge impact in her first season in the quarters, being named as the Club’s Women’s Players’ Player of the Season and being named in the JAECOO PWR Team of the Season, as she crossed for seven tries.
In international colours, Wafer also excelled for Ireland, crossing for five tries in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and becoming the first women’s player to be named as back-to-back Player of the Championship.
A player who has quickly built a strong relationship with the fanbase at The Stoop, Wafer follows in the footsteps of the likes of Rachael Burford, Fiona Stockley, Nicky Meston and Kirstie Heslop in captaining the Club.
A standout performer for Ireland, the 23-year-old is known for her ferocious work-rate and all-court game, combining powerful carries in attack with a natural eye for turnovers and strong defensive impacts. Her natural style of play is one that mirrors the Quins DNA.
Commenting on her appointment, Wafer said: “I absolutely love this group. There’s something really special about it and we have the potential to do some really good things this season. To be named captain is an incredible honour and I’m so grateful to be able to lead the team into next season. Jade was an incredible captain and really spurred you on. I hope I can continue to build on what she did in this role.”
“I don’t really want to change too much as I’d be going away from who I am as a person and a player. It’s about being myself and helping to continue to build the environment here at Quins. We’ve got some really good signings coming in and it’s an exciting chapter ahead.”
Women’s Head Coach Ross Chisholm said: “Aoife is a fantastic leader within our squad and the perfect candidate to carry on the legacy of those who have gone before as Harlequins Women’s captain. She is highly regarded amongst her teammates and showed last season the natural leadership both on and off the field that will help her excel in this new role.”
“She is outstanding on the pitch but is also an excellent communicator and leads with both her actions and words. I have no doubt that Aoife will continue to flourish in this new role and as a coaching group, we are hugely excited to work with her as our new captain. As we enter into an exciting year for the Club, with a young, talented squad, I am hugely excited to see the group continue to develop under Aoife’s leadership.”
With thanks to Harlequins
