Round 4 of the 2024-25 Premiership Women’s Rugby season will kick off at 3pm on Saturday 15th November at Kingsholm Stadium. Gloucester Hartpury go up against Sale Sharks, with a few special visitors welcoming them onto the pitch.

Puppies from Guide Dogs will form a guard of honour for Gloucester players as they enter the pitch, to help raise awareness of the life-changing work the charity does to support people living with sight loss.

Guide Dogs are one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities. Their expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help people affected by sight loss live actively, independently, and well.

Gloucester Hartpury co-captain, Zoe Stratford, says; “It’s an absolute pleasure to support Guide Dogs at this Saturday’s match. The work they do changes lives, helping people build confidence, independence, and connection through their amazing dogs. As players, we’re proud to stand behind such an incredible cause and help raise awareness for the difference they make every day.”

Several puppies, all in training to become life-changing Guide Dogs, will visit Kingsholm Stadium as part of their socialisation training. Saturday’s game is an excellent opportunity for the dogs to experience large crowds, loud noises and matchday excitement for the first time.

Learning to stay calm and focused during unpredictable situations is a big part of what makes a great guide dog, and experiences like this are brilliant for their development as they progress from puppyhood to partnership.

The puppies will be accompanied by their dedicated volunteer puppy raisers. Volunteers are absolutely vital to Guide Dogs’ work. From fundraising to puppy-raising, to helping behind the scenes – the organisation simply could not function without them.

To learn more about volunteering with Guide Dogs and about the amazing roles available, visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.

With thanks to PWR

2. The Imperfect Pyramid

The structure of women’s rugby in England remains far from perfect. While the PWR board plots its path through the undergrowth, its relationship to the leading clubs below the elite grows ever wider. The efforts of famous names like West Park Leeds, Waterloo, Cheltenham, Lichfield, Richmond, Thurrock and Wasps go almost unnoticed. Yet they carry on regardless.

3. After three rounds of the PWR it would be fun to select your choice XV of uncapped players; so many possibilities.

4. The RFU and PWR’s announcement of a Champions Ball at Grosvenor House Park Lane on 14 January is a reminder of how seldom English rugby can celebrate a world cup win.

Prices vary from £375 each (+VAT) to £12,950 each (+VAT). Take your pick.

You must assure me that this isn’t a bit over the top.

How do the Black Ferns celebrate?

5. And what do BFs make of England’s elite league, now they’ve tasted it for themselves?

6. Talking of the PWR, Nick Heath has referred to the “Bye-week Curse”. Can we assume the term is official and use it every time our club is denied a match?

7. John Mitchell

The England head coach is now so underemployed that he can take on a role of advisor to Gloucester men’s team. It is unpaid.

NZR’s decision to initiate this process follows an extensive review of the Black Ferns programme post the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. A similar approach was followed after the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup (played in 2022).

NZR General Manager of Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum said while the Black Ferns programme has made major strides on and off the field in a number of areas, the team ultimately fell short of their goal of winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“Following a thorough review process post the Women’s Rugby World Cup, we are now inviting applications for one of the most significant leadership roles in New Zealand sport,” Lendrum said.

“We are heading into an incredibly exciting four-year cycle of the professional women’s game, with a new competition calendar and the first Women’s British and Irish Lions tour in 2027. A robust process to ensure we find the best candidate to take the Black Ferns forward is imperative.

“This role is an opportunity to continue driving the growth and success of women’s rugby in New Zealand and take the Black Ferns programme to another level.”

Current Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting has confirmed he will conclude his tenure at the end of his current contract and will not seek the Black Ferns Head Coach role.

Lendrum paid tribute to Bunting’s impact:

“On behalf of NZR, I’d like to acknowledge Allan for the level of commitment and contribution he has made to the Black Ferns and to women’s rugby,” Lendrum said.

“We entrusted the Black Ferns programme to Allan in 2023 because he is a proven winner with a track record of creating conditions for success in the women’s game, and empowering our wāhine toa to represent our nation with pride and authenticity. His Black Ferns have done just that.

“The positive impact he has had on the women’s game is immense. He has been a part of the growth of our women’s pathways and the development of players, while remaining focused on a culture which nurtures and supports people to thrive. The Black Ferns have reached a new level of professionalism in their approach to a high-performance environment. Allan and his team have delivered a strong foundation for the next four-year cycle and the team’s attempt to win a record seventh Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“Allan is a courageous leader who is authentically himself and cares deeply for people, and his ability to connect and create an inclusive environment is without peer. I am sure we will continue to see him involved in the game here in the future.”

Bunting reflected on his time with pride:

“It’s been an absolute honour to lead the Black Ferns in this position. I’m incredibly proud of what we set out to achieve together, from building connections, growing the depth of our wāhine, and enhancing this group to represent Aotearoa with mana on and off the field,” Bunting said.

“I care deeply about women’s rugby in Aotearoa. Over the past 14 years, I’ve been honoured to contribute across both the Sevens and Fifteens programmes, experience pinnacle events such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Series and World Cups. To have played a role in the growth of the women’s game during this time has been a privilege.

“What I value most are the connections I’ve made and the people who I’ve met throughout my journey. I’m energised for the next chapter and look forward to new opportunities to lead, grow and contribute within high performance sport.”

NZR are now taking applications via the NZR website with the intention to appoint a Black Ferns Head Coach by Christmas 2025.

With thanks to New Zealand Rugby 

The rapid growth of the women’s game has demonstrated that football venues, which have historically been built and designed for the male player and fan, need to be better equipped to cater towards the specific needs of female athletes and supporters to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and consequently, become spaces that serve everyone, regardless of their gender.

To explore what women’s stadiums of the future could look like, WSL Football led a comprehensive consultation process alongside AFL Architects, Mott Macdonald and Forward Associates which involved supporters, clubs, current and former players, managers, matchday technical staff including medical professionals and match officials, media, broadcasters, governing bodies, engineers, sports architects and sustainability experts.

Several new approaches were highlighted including a focus on female-friendly changing rooms and toilet facilities, parent/guardian orientated spaces including family toilets and breastfeeding areas, accessibility for those with disabilities and futureproofing for environmental/climate change.

Other key design principles from the guidance document include:

• Inclusivity & Accessibility (Players/Supporters/Stakeholders)
• An appropriate number of WC provisions, moving from 80%/20% male/female to 45%/45%, with gender neutral facilities to be available (10%).
• The inclusion of baby changing facilities and family toilets for parents with children of the opposite gender.
• Specific rooms for players/staff/media and broadcast talent to breastfeed/care for their child.
• Provision of reflection/multi-faith spaces.

Changing Facilities (Players/Staff)

• Appropriate changing facilities with a consideration of squad size.
• Separate changing areas for Under-18s.
• An uplifted number of toilets, mirrors, power and lighting.
• Menstruation provisions in changing areas.
• Separate changing facilities for female and male managers/backroom staff.

Fan Experience (Supporters)

• Accessible provisions for disabled supporters, including changing places provisions, audio descriptive commentary and sensory rooms.
• Seat sizes and spacing in stands that are aligned to supporters’ needs.
• Offering supporters the option to sit in a separate area where alcohol is not available if preferred.
• Specified Fanzone area at each stadium.

Facilities & Safety (Players/Supporters)

• Providing safe and well-lit access travel routes to grounds, with clear signage and wayfinding.
• Accessibility, transport connectivity and minimal environmental impact at the heart of site selection.
• Future proofing for environmental/climate change both on and off the pitch.
• Providing water stations and areas of shade.
• Ensuring stadiums are well connected technologically – including internet access – for future developments.

Media/Broadcasters (Stakeholders)

• Appropriate spaces for broadcasters to conduct interviews pitchside.
• Designated presentation areas/TV studio spaces for broadcasters.
• Specific press conference spaces and mixed zone areas for media.

Hannah Buckley, Head of Safety, Sustainability and Infrastructure for WSL Football – who has led on the development of the guidance – said: “We’re thrilled to unveil this document – it was acknowledged that female specific stadiums were a blind spot in the industry, and the willingness of our stakeholders to come together with their expertise and insights has been inspiring.

“We have a ten-year stadia strategy at WSL Football, and this guidance is one element of that – we want to unlock main stadiums, enhance current assets, and then support our clubs in building new stadiums.

“The rapid growth of the women’s game in recent years has merely highlighted the need for the latter, and to have those spaces designed with the needs of female athletes and fans at the heart of it.

“For ourselves as a league, it is critical that new infrastructure is a part of our clubs’ future plans – to allow the game to continue to grow, stadium primacy – and venues built through the lens of our players – is key, and our hope is that this guidance will be a catalyst for change moving forwards.”

Kathleen Carthy, Architect for AFL Architects, added: “The WSL Stadium Guidance represents a bold and necessary evolution in how we design for the women’s game.

“It’s about creating environments that feel safe, inclusive and vibrant, where fans, players and communities feel a genuine sense of belonging.

“Developed by AFL’s dedicated women’s sports team, the guidance champions a human-centred approach that reflects the values of women’s football, from flexible layouts and equitable facilities to sustainable and welcoming architecture.

“At AFL, we’re proud to have worked alongside the WSL and its stakeholders to help shape a vision that will elevate the matchday experience and set a new standard for the women’s game.”

Technical Director for Buildings, Ruth Shilston, of Mott MacDonald said: “These new women’s stadium guidelines have been an opportunity to shape industry standards that will transform the way we design, build and experience football stadiums.

“We’re proud to have brought our decades of experience at the cutting edge of future-proofed building design to embed sustainability and climate resilience as design standards.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them adopted across the industry to help progress sports venues across the UK.”

The guidance document can be viewed in its entirety online at wslfootball.com.

With thanks to the WSL

GOAL Projects kicked off in September with Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak and continues with today’s release by the American folk-rock band the Lumineers.

The project sees a portion of the proceeds from the collaborations donated to grassroots teams supported by the artists. The Anderson .Paak collection was created to support Oxnard Eagles, a young girls’ soccer team in Paak’s hometown of Oxnard, California.

The Lumineers collection, released today, supports Aurora West girls’ soccer team — a team of refugees from thirteen different countries who are building new lives in Colorado, the band’s adopted home after moving from New Jersey shortly after forming.

Common Goal’s role in the project leverages their expertise in utilizing the power of soccer to enhance the lives of those who play it. The organization leads the sourcing of youth teams or soccer organizations in the artists’ hometown and ensuring they are diverse and inclusive and reflect the artists’ identities, as well as having a need for the support of the project.

Common Goal is also responsible for the dispersal of charitable funds to those involved, so they can support activities such as covering playing fees, buying equipment, travel and other expenses that can often price young fans out of the sport.

All teams involved are also gifted a full run of kits for their team and get to meet the artists behind their designs, which are created in tandem with the GOAL Projects team.

Jake Cohen, head of GOAL Projects for Footballco said: “Common Goal is known across the world for the work they do to unite the global soccer community to tackle the greatest social challenges of our time. Through working with Common Goal we know that the artists we’re working with aren’t just creating amazing kits and merch, but they’re also supporting teams that need it the most.

“While you only need a ball to play soccer, to take your love for the game to the next level can often bring with it, especially in the US, extra costs. We hope through Goal Projects and our work with Common Goal that we can help to bring down some of those barriers.”

“Creativity and collaboration are at the heart of every song and every soccer match. We are incredibly excited to be a part of this unique collaboration with GOAL, connecting the two powerful forces of soccer and music, and translating these into tangible opportunities for youth soccer,” said Mary Connor, Executive Director of Common Goal USA.

With thanks to Footballco

The Women’s High Performance Rugby Union Coach Review has been set up to find answers to that exact question to make sure the game continues to grow in the right direction, with the PWR and RFU committed to investing in supporting female coaches through a career in elite rugby.

This review is led by Genevieve Shore, (PWR Executive Chair), Amy Walmsley, (PWR League Operations Manager), Nigel Redman, (RFU Director of Performance Team Development), John Lawn, (RFU Game Development Director), Emma Greggains (Occupational Psychologist) and Penny Carr (Operations and Project Manager).

There are currently no female head coaches in the PWR, and it is a problem that extends far wider and deeper in the game, with women also under-represented in the role at the Rugby World Cup in the summer.

“Being at the highest level of the women’s game in England, the lens is always on the league,” explained Amy Walmsley, PWR League Operations Manager.

“The lack of women working in the game and in the key role of head coach, has drawn recent focus”.

“There are people looking at us and asking the question, why is that happening? And of course we’re asking the question internally as well”.

“We really want to get into understanding what’s happening, what’s causing this problem and how do we fix that?”

Consultant Operations and Project Manager Penny Carr added: “This is an important review to understand what is currently in place to support coaches to thrive and deliver.”

“We want to understand what enablers and barriers exist to attract, select and retain female high-performance coaches.

“It is critical to the future of women in the game, that we review and understand what, if anything in the rugby system, needs to be addressed and improved upon to create quality high-performance coaches and opportunities for these women to thrive in the game.

“[We want] to explore the understanding of what it is to be a high-performance rugby union coach, which will then support key stakeholders to make informed decisions about future appointments.”

The review is being conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, which include:

• A survey of female high-performance coaches holding the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award (formerly Level 3) and/or England Rugby Performance Coaching Award (formerly Level 4) or equivalent.

(HIGH PERFORMANCE RUGBY UNION, WOMEN’S COACH REVIEW – Fill in form)

• 50 in-depth confidential qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders.

The mammoth undertaking of the 50 interviews will be conducted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Emma Greggains who will speak to coaches, female athletes, internal rugby stakeholders (e.g. PWR and RFU), club decision-makers and external stakeholders.

Coaches will include female and male coaches in the women’s game and coaches in the men’s game.

“Everything that everybody says to me is confidential,” explained Greggains.

“All of the information is content analysed anonymously, which gives interviewees the assurance that they can feel free to come forward and tell me exactly what’s going on.

“We can then look at what the data is telling us to guide practical interventions that will make a real difference.”

While the short-term aims of the review focus on creating a deep well of understanding to achieve full comprehension of the factors affecting female coaches in the game, the project also acknowledges the importance of ensuring the number of women in visible coaching roles is improved.

“If we’ve got more women coaching at the top level, building quality experience and achievements in their journey, then their visibility will help generate the next generation(s) of coaches to come,” said Carr.

“It offers a clearer and inclusive pathway for all levels of the game.”

The timing of the project could not have fallen at a better time, with the momentum behind the sport flying from the success of the Rugby World Cup.

“There is a spirit of, let’s see what’s possible, what needs to happen, what’s working, what’s not working, and what needs to change”, commented Greggains.

Ultimately, the extensive research will be used to create a coaching environment for high performance female coaches that is fit for purpose and ready to support them as they experience the ever-growing demands within the game.

“We are a feminist organisation,” asserted Walmsley.

“We want more female coaches in PWR and we want those coaches to be the best coaches in the game, but we also need to ensure that we provide the environment and the support for those female coaches to develop and to thrive in order to achieve that wherever they choose to work”

Survey Link

HIGH PERFORMANCE RUGBY UNION, WOMEN’S COACH REVIEW – Fill in form

With thanks to the PWR

Muthusamy was named the Player of the Series in Pakistan as the sides drew 1-1. The left-arm spinner grabbed 11 wickets in the first Test in Lahore that was won by Pakistan. He then top-scored for South Africa in the second innings of the Rawalpindi Test with 89 as his team won by eight wickets.

Muthusamy, who won the award ahead of spinners Noman Ali of Pakistan and Rashid Khan of Afghanistan, said he was proud of his performances in the longest format of the game.

Senuran Muthusamy: “It feels great to be named the Player of the Month by the ICC, especially since it comes for performances in Test cricket, a format that every player wants to excel in.

“Playing for a side that won the ICC World Test Championship this year is a matter of great pride. I was privileged to be part of such a competitive series in Pakistan and am happy to have contributed with both ball and bat. I would like to thank my team-mates for their support and look forward to contributing for my team in the years to come.”

Wolvaardt was the leading scorer in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup aggregating 571 runs, with 470 of them coming from eight matches played in October. She struck three half-centuries and helped win the semifinal against England with an epic 169 to set up a mouth-watering final against hosts India.

Wolvaardt, who edged out India opener Smriti Mandhana and Australia all-rounder Ash Gardner for the award, said she was proud to have stood out in such a high-profile tournament.

Laura Wolvaardt: “It’s an honour to win this award following the team’s World Cup performances in India, as part of a historic event for women’s cricket. The tournament featured outstanding matches and remarkable displays, which makes this recognition especially meaningful.

“While winning the tournament would have been ideal, we take pride in our victories and the unbreakable spirit we showed, while remaining confident that an ICC World Cup title is within reach.

“I appreciate everyone’s support, and I will always strive to make you proud on the field.”

Both players were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising former international players and media representatives.

Fans can continue to vote every month for their favourite cricketers across all formats of international cricket in the ICC Player of the Month awards by registering at www.icc-cricket.com/awards.

The media release announcing the shortlist with more detail on other shortlisted players and the complete selection panel is available here.

With thanks to the ICC

In just three days’ time, the Vitality Roses will kickstart their 2025-26 international season, taking on world number two New Zealand on 15 and 16 November at the Copper Box Arena in London, and 19 November at the AO Arena in Manchester. With tickets to all three games available to buy on the England Netball website fans unable to be there in person can watch all the action live and on demand on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports YouTube.

The series will revive England’s historic rivalry against New Zealand as both teams continue their preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Fans watching live in the arena and at home on Sky Sports can expect three closely contested matches, with the last five meetings between the two sides resulting in three wins for the Vitality Roses and two for the Silver Ferns – including two one-goal game thrillers.

Chief Executive Officer at England Netball Fran Connollysaid: “We’re delighted to be bringing international netball back to Sky Sports this month as we welcome the Silver Ferns to London and Manchester for what is bound to be a series of closely fought and hugely entertaining matches.

“Working with Sky to broadcast this series is an important boost to the visibility of our sport and the profile of our athletes as we continue to work hard to elevate netball to a new place of prominence. We look forward to feeling the support for Jess and the team both from those in the stands in the arenas and those tuning in at home on Sky Sports.”

Fans in New Zealand will be able to watch on Sky New Zealand, and viewers outside of the UK and New Zealand will be able to watch all three games on NetballPass, with a three-match pass costing £9.99 and individual games available to stream live and on demand for £4.95 each.*

Vitality Netball International Series versus New Zealand Schedule (First Centre Pass UK Times)

Saturday 15 November – Copper Box Arena, London
England vs. New Zealand – 17:00

Sunday 16 November – Copper Box Arena, London
England vs. New Zealand – 15:00

Wednesday 19 November – AO Arena, Manchester
England vs. New Zealand – 19:00

To keep up with the latest news, make sure to follow @EnglandNetball on X, Instagram and TikTok, and England Netball on Facebook and LinkedIn.

With thanks to England Netball

The squad start their 2025-26 IBSF World Cup campaign on Friday 21^st November at the redeveloped Eugenio Monti Olympic Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will also host the Olympic Games in February.

Securing a spot in the Team GB squad is the first goal for the athletes this season, with the Olympic qualification period closing in mid-January, but they are also looking to add to the impressive amount of silverware won during this Olympiad.

Matt Weston, who won World Championships gold in 2023 and 2025, said: “We’re not here to learn anymore, we’re out there to perform and show the world what we can do. We’ve shown glimpses of it already throughout the past three years but this year is the one where we’re going for it.

“I suppose there is that added pressure of coming into the season as a two-time World Champion but, at the same time, there is a lot of confidence that comes from having had consistent success. Having those amazing results also encourages the people around us to step up their game and that in turn pushes us to keep pushing away from them.

“Being at the University of Bath, which houses the only push track that we have in the country to train on, is a massive, massive part of the success. We are not just with each other during the season, the whole team is here and we know each other so well. It makes all these tough situations that you might go through a lot easier.”

Weston and Marcus Wyatt head into the season ranked men’s one and two in the world, while GB boasts three women in the world’s top 10 with Amelia Coltman, Tabby Stoecker and Freya Tarbit all having won World Cup gold this Olympiad.

Coltman said: “This is my biggest season to date. I’m coming off the back of a really successful season, so I’m heading in with lots of confidence and I’m feeling ambitious. We’ve been training really, really hard at the University since April, putting in the hard yards that nobody sees, and I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for many, many years.”

Tarbit added: “This is the most excited I’ve ever felt to just get back on ice and start siding again. Training has been going really well and I just miss sliding, I miss the feeling of it and the excitement.

“I’m trying not to let the fact it is Olympic season change my thinking too much. We still have a lot of races to go before qualifying and I just want to stay really present, take each race as it comes and enjoy myself.”

The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association is based at the University of Bath, a UK Sport-accredited Elite Training Centre, with athletes doing their speed and power training on the indoor sprint track and in the High-Performance Gym at the Sports Training Village. They also use the UK’s only push-start track to finetune the all-important start.

“If you are more than two-tenths of a second behind the fastest pusher you’re going to have a really hard time winning a medal,” Coltman explained. “If you’ve got that really fast push, you’re almost off to a head start and you’re ahead of the pack so it’s a very advantageous thing to have.”

British Skeleton – one of the most successful Olympic nations with seven medals since 2002, three of them gold – are targeting the maximum three Olympic quota places in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Visit thebbsa.co.uk and teambath.com/skeleton to find out more.

With thanks to Team Bath

It was 14-14 at the break, and the drama increased relentlessly.

On 80 minutes Meg Davey completed Lightning’s last try to bring the score to 31-33. All depended on Helen Nelson. Not for the first time in her career she kept her cool.

But that wasn’t the chequered flag. Across the following five minutes neither side was prepared to settle for a draw; the game roared from end to end. DaLeaka Menin gave another impression of her wing three-quarter skills. Then Lightning were nearly over at the other end.

Did we really hear coaches shouting “Kick it into touch”?

In the end, a rapid Chiefs’ attack just failed to find completion. Breathless stuff.

Result: 33-33
Player of the Match: Maddie Feaunati

Supporters at the Stoop will claim their game was even more exciting, but Gloucester-Hartpury had too much all-round strength. At least Quins had the minor reward of two bonus points (4 tries and a margin of 7).

It’s a wry thought that once again the presence of a TMO at a match covered by TNT may have made a signal difference to the league’s outcome. Quins were denied a try by a verdict of “held up”. This is not to question the decision of either the referee, Henry Pearson, or the TMO, Nikki O’ Donnell. It’s simply that it would be fairer if the same number of officials were present at all matches.

Result: Quins 26 Gloucester-Hartpury 33

The third match at Shaftesbury Park was less close fought, Sarries finishing with a comfortable 21-point lead. But their total too added up to 33.

Once more it’s hard to see Bears’ results matching their ambitions. There are too many pieces in their machine that don’t quite fit together.

Result: Bristol Bears 12 Saracens 33
Player of the Match: Zoe Harrison

The table

It’s still early days, and the presence of an odd number of clubs doesn’t help. But Gloucester-Hartpury are the only side with full points (15) after three matches. Sarries are on 10 after two.

Tigers had the weekend off. Let’s hope they can benefit from the break as much as Trailfinders did yesterday, but I fear the worst.

Afterthoughts

It already looks as though Glos-Pury will take a fourth title. That would be a huge setback for a league that needs all the competition and tension it can muster. It comes to resemble the predictability of the 6 Nations all too closely.

Floodlights: a concern – I can think of three grounds where there is insufficient illumination. Bears performed today on their home ground rather than the football stadium in town. There was a good crowd present, but cameras had to peer through the gloom long before time was called.

Officials: last week seven were women; good. This week two of thirteen were female. The studio lights of the media shine very brightly, but it would be encouraging to see more retiring players follow Holly Wood’s example and turn to refereeing.

Unfortunate statements

1. Lightning are the latest to call their ‘home’ ground a ‘fortress’. Hoho.

2. Saracens’ promo stated: ‘There’s only one team in London and it’s us!’ I think PWR Ltd should have a word.

I hope nobody took my recent headline: ‘Has Kildunne played her last game for England?’ too seriously. It was tongue in cheek. Not a chance!