Sale Sharks Women are delighted to confirm its playing squad ahead of the club’s inaugural Allianz Premier 15s season.
Head of Women’s Rugby Darren Lamon has had a challenging six months developing his squad alongside player/coach and England Rugby Fly-Half Katy Daley-Mclean. The Sharks coaching duo have had to adapt to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic whilst trying to compile and prepare a squad ahead of the club’s maiden Allianz Premier 15’s campaign.
Ahead of the club’s first top-flight match with Loughborough Lightning this Saturday, Lamon was thankful to everyone who has played a part in allowing this season to go ahead as scheduled. He said:
“Firstly, I would like to send the club’s sincere thanks and appreciation to all the front-line workers from across the region and beyond, who in the most challenging of times have been an inspiration to us all. Within our squad we have a number of players who are key workers, along with many others have gone above and beyond in the fight against COVID.”
“The hard work of so many people across the north west has allowed us to be in the privileged position we are in to return to the game we love on Saturday. It has been a unique first preseason for us and now we are just a few days away from our first ever fixture, recognition must go to all the staff from all departments across the club for their work behind the scenes over the last few months.
“The players have been a credit to themselves with their attitude, competitiveness, core skills, game sense and athletic development all impressing throughout the the last few months of training. The squad have shown a real sense of togetherness during preseason, and I take my hat off to all involved as we complete our preparations ahead of Saturdays match. We are looking forward getting underway, and competing against the quality rugby clubs in the Allianz Premier 15s, all whilst having fun along the way.”
“As staff we are proud of the squad we’ve built. We have a really exciting group of players at the club, a wealth of experience and some young developing talent, who all share the same vision. Competition for a place in the matchday squad will be tough and each player has worked incredibly hard both on and off the training pitch to earn themselves a shot at selection. We all share the same ambition to start the season well and the players are very excited and energised ahead of this weekend. “
Lamon and Daley-Mclean this week announced to the squad that Beth Stafford will be named as the first captain of Sale Sharks Women and the 26 year-old is excited about the challenge ahead as she prepares to lead the newly formed Sharks into their first Allianz Premier 15’s campaign this weekend.
The highly rated forward has been nominated for the role after thorough consideration by Head of Women’s Rugby, Darren Lamon and player/coach Katy Daley-Mclean and the Sharks coaching set up are confident they have chosen the correct leader for their group. Lamon spoke highly of his new skipper ahead of the clubs first match this weekend, he said:
“I’m sure Beth will be a fantastic captain; she is keen to explore the opportunity and represent the players this season. There are a lot of experienced heads in the squad to assist Beth in her development as captain and those players will support her in a both on and off the field as we and I have no doubt she will be a success in the role. The players are building an identity as group and with Beth’s natural qualities as a leader, I think she is the perfect fit.”
Commenting on the announcement, 26-year-old Beth said: “It is a massive privilege to be the first ever captain of Sale Sharks Women, it is such an exciting challenge. We already have a strong leadership group at the club which is full of experience and I’m looking forward to working closely with them to lead the squad through what is a huge season for Sale Sharks.”
SALE SHARKS WOMEN’S SQUAD 2020/21
FORWARDS:
Gwenllian Pyrs
Katie Houghton
Jamie Leigh – Bellerby
Brea Leung
Georgie Kyle
Molly Kelly
Hannah Kurtz
Scarlett Fielding
Freya Hellin
Harriet Thompson
Aisha Abu – Mazouq
Nicola Howat
Vicky E irwin
Mali Quaeck
Teleri Wyn Davies
Daisy Hibbert – Jones
Megan Kirby
Jessica Elbeck
Claire Hutchinson
Lucy Winter
Hannah Field
Georgie Perris – Redding
Beth Stafford
BACKS:
Mhair Grieve
Jessica Roberts
India Perris – Redding
Katy Daley – Mclean
Sarah Cornforth
Hannah Birch
Laura Perrin
Vicky Irwin
Alicia Calton
Alexandra Wallace
Kathryn Craine
Lisa Neumann
Jodie Ounsley
Carys Hall
Jessica Wooden
Lauren Delany
DUAL REGISTERED PLAYERS
Savannah Andrade
Marion Ridgway
Willow Bell
