Sale Sharks notes the RFU decision to reject the club’s application for a women’s team to be part of the Premier 15s from the 2023/24 season onwards.
In response, Sale Sharks CEO Sid Sutton said: “We felt our submission fulfilled the criteria laid out by the RFU and demonstrated the commitment that everyone at the club has to our women’s team and the wider women’s game.
“As a result, everyone at Sale Sharks is absolutely devastated at today’s decision to reject the club’s application to remain part of the Premier 15s league.
“We truly want to represent the Fabric of the North and since the launch of the team in 2020, Sale Sharks Women has been an integral part of that vision. The team is at the heart of the culture we’re creating at Carrington and three wins in our first four games this season are evidence of the amazing progress being made on and off the field.
“That progress is down to the hard work of Rachel Taylor, her coaching staff and players, as well as the unwavering commitment of the club’s owners and the desire of the men’s players and coaches to support the development of the women’s team.
“We’re all disappointed that despite the stated desire to ensure a ‘greater geographical spread’ of teams, the Premier 15s won’t have any northern representation from 2023/24 but as a club we remain firmly and passionately committed to growing and supporting the women’s game in the north of England.
“Through community programmes including Mission Sharks Primary and Girls Tackle Rugby, we will continue to provide opportunities for women and girls across the region to play our wonderful game.
“The women’s game is going from strength to strength and everyone at Sale Sharks would like to wish the RFU and the eight successful applicants all the very best for the future.”
