Lichfield RUFC chairman hails new women’s team link-up with Leicester Tigers

The chairman of Lichfield RUFC says a partnership with Leicester Tigers will help to create new opportunities for female players.

The Myrtle Greens have agreed the link-up following the transfer of championship league status.

It will mean the Tigers fielding a team in the Women’s Championship North, with Lichfield providing a pathway into the Leicester squad.

Paul Massey, chairman of the club, said the move would ensure greater opportunities to allow women to develop in the sport.

“We are pleased to finally get the necessary approval for the partnership with Leicester Tigers and the associated transfer of championship league status to go ahead.

“Our reasons for entering into this agreement are quite simple – to provide us with the profile and the additional coaching resources to attract many more new players to the women’s game, and to help all those players develop and play to the very best of their ability.

“Those who have the skills and desire to do so, will have a very clear and realistic pathway to progress through to the elite level.

“It’s all about getting more girls and women into the game, and as a community amateur club we could not provide the resources to do these things alone.”

Paul Massey, Lichfield RUFC

Tigers’ head of women’s rugby, Vicky Macqueen, said the agreement had come after working closely with the Myrtle Greens to develop the proposals.

“It’s brilliant news to finally have a Leicester Tigers team in the women’s leagues.

“Our work with Lichfield during this season culminated with a second-place finish in the league and 100 players regularly involved in our training sessions. We are hoping we can have an even better season in 2022/23 as a Leicester Tigers team.

“The partnership with Lichfield is crucial not only for next season to ensure we have the best talent available, but also for our ambitions to have a team in the top division from 2023.

“Lichfield have a huge heritage in women’s rugby and that will continue through working with Tigers.”

Vicky Macqueen, Leicester Tigers