Lichfield Women, with the support of Leicester Tigers, head into their new season with the backing of a World Cup-winning coach and player, and one of Premiership Rugby’s record-breakers.
Part of the Leicester Tigers women’s rugby programme’s aims is to provide support for Lichfield Ladies, including the squad which kicks off its Championship campaign this week, alongside work at grassroots level to attract players and coaches into women’s rugby and to provide a pathway from junior rugby into the senior ranks.
Vicky Macqueen, as head of Tigers women’s rugby, welcomed World Cup-winning coach Gary Street at Lichfield Ladies on a training night and has also been joined by former Leicester and England hooker George Chuter and forwards coach George Richardson. The club has announced also the addition of England international Heather Fisher to the coaching team.
Street led England to five Grand Slams and the 2014 Rugby World Cup title and worked with the successful Harlequins Women’s squad as well as in an academy role at the London club.
Chuter, the first player to reach 250 Premiership appearances and World Cup finalist in 2007, was back on the pitch this week as the squad continues its preparations for the new season, while Richardson is a forwards coach and Level Five referee.
New recruit Fisher, who was part of the England squad that Street guided to the World Cup Final in 2010 and the world title in 2014, has also joined the support for the Lichfield Ladies set-up as a strength and conditioning lead and skills coach.
The Tigers women’s rugby programme has been created inspire and develop players at all levels, while Lichfield have a long and proud history in the women’s game.
Ahead of the season’s opening fixtures this weekend, Macqueen said: “It has been great to have Gary come and see us, and to have Heather’s first session in her new role alongside George Chuter and George Richardson.
“The two squads are ready to take on their first league games and there has been a great buzz around training. The girls have worked really hard to get to this point and now we want to transfer our work from the training field over the past month into the first league game.”
The team launch their season on Saturday with a home game against West Park Leeds in Championship North 1 while Lichfield Greens play against Bletchley Ladies at Level 3 on Sunday.
