Richmond Women

Richmond Women were initially formed in 1986 as part of Finchley RFC. They were one of the first women's rugby union teams established in England. They later became a part of Richmond F.C., because of the financial support[4] that Richmond were able to give and they took on the name of Richmond Women as a result. The club used the name "Women" instead of "Ladies" because of a belief that Ladies would imply that it was not a serious team.[5] The team is one of the oldest and most successful in English women's rugby union with 25 league and cup victories, six National Sevens wins and four European Championship titles.[1] In 2000, they won the Rugby World National Cup after beating Wasps Ladies in the final at Twickenham Stadium in the first women's rugby union match to be played there.[6] between 2010 and 2012, they won three consecutive league titles.[7] They run three teams,[8] with Richmond II playing in Championship 1 South[9] and Richmond Women III playing in Championship 2 South East.[10]

In 1995, they had an honour's board erected in the clubhouse at the Athletic Ground however it was later removed by members of London Scottish, who share the Athletic Ground, claiming that Richmond didn't have permission to put one up.[11]

Richmond Women have been coached by Scotland women's national rugby union team coach, Karen Findlay.[12] Richmond women have had 118 international players play for them, including 18 in 2001.[5] Amber Reed, Emma Croker and Rebecca Essex all played for Richmond Women before going on to play for the England women's national rugby union team.[13]