Belfast Harlequins Ladies Rugby

Belfast Harlequins Ladies Rugby is a rugby union team based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1] The team is part of the multi-sport organization, Belfast Harlequins.

Harlequins Women
Full nameBelfast Harlequins Women's Rugby
Founded2008
RegionBelfast
Ground(s)Deramore Park
ChairmanJen Goodall
Coach(es)Charlie Blackburn
Captain(s)Lesley Winder
League(s)Deloitte Ulster Women's Championship
Official website
www.quinswomensrugby.co.uk

History

In 2008, Belfast Harlequins RFC opened its doors to developing a ladies team within the rugby section. They approached ex-ulster ladies coach Nathan Moore in 2008 to coach the squad and had an open day in May 2008 which attracted over 20 adult ladies.

In the initial ladies development plan the first year of the club was to develop the players skills and seek occasional friendly games, however with the influx of players into the club it was decided to go straight into All Ireland Division 2 North.[2]

Inaugural season: 2008/2009

The first season (2008/2009) was a hard fought one, with the Harlequins Ladies only winning 2 out of their season fixtures.

Inaugural season, 2009/2010

In their second season (2009/2010) the adult squad grew to approximately 30 players and made a good account for themselves finishing mid table in A.I.L Division 2 North and competing in the Carrick 10's[3] in May and entering a Tag team into the IRFU Tag leagues during the summer months.[4] In their third season (2010/2011) the recruitment drive in the Tag leagues and by the dedicated recruitment team saw the adult playing numbers rise to over 40+ and for the first time in Ulster rugby history the club was able to field two competitive teams, one in AIL Division 2 North and the Ulster Development League. Both teams entered the Ulster Provincial Cup and the 1st XV entered the AIL cup. Again both of the teams entered the Carrick 10s tournament and both reached finals in the competition, the 2nd XV (named the Quins Barbarians) reached the bowl final and the 1st XV reached the cup final and were winners of the Plate. At the end of the season the ladies qualified to the first All Ireland 7s finals and came away winners of the Plate against a number of AIL 1 teams.[5] During the season the club also started development on a youth structure and have formed links with a number of schools in the Belfast area. In 2009/10 there were 6 youth players and in 2010/2011 this number grew to having 16 youth players between the ages of 12-17 yrs of age.

7's Tournament

The club hosts a 7's tournament every August inviting teams from around the United Kingdom to take part in a day-long competition. In its first year, eight teams took part with a Canadian touring side entering along with teams from Ireland. St. Mary's was the first-ever winners of the tournament in 2010.

References
  1. Flack, John (28 October 2015). "Harlequins new girl Andrea Desneaux sets sights high". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-18. Retrieved 2011-06-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-06-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby/
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2011-06-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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