Wasps Women

Wasps Women
Full nameWasps Women
UnionRFU
Nickname(s)Wasps
Founded1984
LocationActon, London, England
Ground(s)Twyford Avenue Sports Ground
League(s)Premier 15s

Wasps Women are a women's rugby union based in Acton, London, England.[1] They were founded in 1984 and play in the Premier 15s.[2][3][4] They are the women's team of Wasps FC,[5] who are affiliated to Premiership Rugby team Wasps.[1][6] They play their home matches at Wasps FC's Twyford Avenue Sports Ground.[7]

History

Wasps Women was founded in 1984 by Sue Martineau and have played in the top flight of English women's rugby union since 1991[1][6] as they were not involved in the first season of the Women's Premiership in 1990.[8] In 1992, they won the Women's National 7s title.[9] They have won league titles including three consecutive wins between 2001 and 2004,[10] including a league and cup double in 2004.[11] Aside of their local rivalries with fellow London clubs Saracens Women and Richmond Women, Wasps Women also have a rivalry with Bristol Bears Women, formally Clifton Ladies.[12] Wasps Women run two teams with Wasps Women II playing in Championship 2 South West after being relegated from Championship 1 South in 2013.[13]

Being affiliated to Wasps, Wasps Women have played matches at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry and Wasps' former home ground, Adams Park in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.[14] Wasps Women also take part in charity games, including playing against Guernsey Ladies in Sark.[15]

In July 2021; in line with a company wide rebrand, the team were rebranded Wasps Women having previously been called Wasps Ladies.[16]

Notable players

Wasps Women have provided a number of players for international teams. Sue Day and Shelley Rae played for both Wasps Women and the England women's national rugby union team. Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox played for both Wasps Women and the New Zealand women's national rugby union team.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Day named Wasps President". Scrum Queens. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  2. ^ a b "Wasps Ladies". RFU. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  3. ^ "Women's Premiership: England captain backs revamp". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
  4. ^ "Women's Premiership: Round One Wrap". Scrum Queens. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  5. ^ "Wasps & Worcester women's teams to continue playing after getting RFU permission". BBC Sport. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  6. ^ a b "Wasps Ladies: Meet the Team". Ryding 2 Health Magazine. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  7. ^ "Ton up for rampant Bulls ladies". Kent Sports News. 2013-01-14. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  8. ^ "Women's Rugby – Then and Now". RFU. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  9. ^ "Women's Squads Players". Wasps Legends. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  10. ^ "Giselle Mather breaking new ground". Rugby World. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  11. ^ "Wasps". Rugby Football History. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  12. ^ womensportreport.com. "Wasps Ladies finally find their form to beat Bristol". Women Sport Report. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  13. ^ Herald, Plymouth (2013-09-24). "Albion Ladies sting Wasps in a bad-tempered battle for third place". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  14. ^ "Double header, Wasps Women then Wasps Men". Rugbynetwork.net. 2003-03-25. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  15. ^ "Wasps help with Wooden Spoon". Channel Online TV. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  16. ^ "Wasps Logo Evolves". www.wasps.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-07-19.