About Barnsley Ladies

Barnsley Ladies were formed in 2014 from players who had played junior rugby at Barnsley but due to reaching 18 had to move up into the seniors. This handful of players along with newbies and others who wanted to move clubs created a small team.

They played their first ever match on 31st August 2014 against Halifax Ladies with a squad of 11 players. As a newly formed team the Ladies had to play 8 matches during this season, to be able to enter a league for 2015/16 season, so Halifax who was already playing league rugby was a good test for the team. The result did not go their way but at least it started them on the road.

During the 2014/15 season the ladies played 12 friendly matches winning 9 and losing 3 (all to established league teams) and all gaining in confidence and players. At the end of the season they applied to join the league and were accepted into the National Challenge North 2 East League.

They wrapped up the 2015/16 league season unbeaten with a 14-41 win away at Morpeth. The ladies also reached the final of the RFU Women’s Junior Cup but just couldn’t quite make it the League and Cup double as they narrowly lost to National Challenge 1 South West champions Drybrook. 31-24.

The 2016/17 season saw the team promoted to National Challenge 1 North and a second successive promotion as the team once again finished top of the league unbeaten. They also reached the semi-final of the RFU Women’s Junior Cup but were narrowly beaten by the eventual winners Lewes.

Their achievements were recognised in August 2017 when they were voted Women’s Team of the Year at the National Rugby Awards held at Twickenham. They were also recognised with a Proud of Barnsley award for their sporting achievements.

Promotion to Championship 1 North

Last season the ladies played in Championship 2 North where once again they won the league having only lost one game against an established Sunderland Flames.

Next season in 2018/19 will see Barnsley Ladies play in the Championship North which is just one division below the Women’s Premiership league, that is English top flight rugby. Pre-season training will start from the first week in July to enable efficient preparation for the upcoming season.

We play at Barnsley Rugby Club, Shaw Lane, Barnsley, S70 6HZ.

Our coaching team consists of Simon Frow (Head Coach), Damien burden and strength and conditioning coach Chris Starkey with myself as Team Manager.