Wasps Ladies

Wasps Ladies
Full name Wasps Ladies Football Club
Union RFU
Nickname(s) Wasps
Founded 1984

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

History

Wasps Ladies was founded in 1984 by Sue Martineau and have played in the top flight of English women's rugby union since 1991[1][5] as they were not involved in the first season of the Women's Premiership in 1990.[7] In 1992, they won the Women's National 7s title.[8] They have won league titles including three consecutive wins between 2001 and 2004,[9] including a league and cup double in 2004.[10] Aside of their local rivalries with fellow London clubs Saracens Women and Richmond Women, Wasps Ladies also have a rivalry with Bristol Ladies, formally Clifton Ladies.[11] Wasps Ladies run two teams with Wasps Ladies II playing in Championship 2 South West after being relegated from Championship 1 South in 2013.[12]

Being affiliated to London Wasps, Wasps Ladies have played matches at London Wasps' home ground, Adams Park in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.[13] Wasps Ladies also take part in charity games, including playing against Guernsey Ladies in Sark.[14]

Notable players

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

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Day named Wasps President". Scrum Queens. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Wasps Ladies". RFU. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  3. "Women’s Premiership: England captain backs revamp". BBC. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
  4. "Women's Premiership: Round One Wrap". Scrum Queens. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Wasps Ladies: Meet the Team". Ryding 2 Health Magazine. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  6. "Ton up for rampant Bulls ladies". Kent Sports News. 2013-01-14. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  7. "Women’s Rugby – Then and Now". RFU. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  8. "Women's Squads Players". Wasps Legends. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  9. "Giselle Mather breaking new ground". Rugby World. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  10. "Wasps". Rugby Football History. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  11. womensportreport.com. "Wasps Ladies finally find their form to beat Bristol". Women Sport Report. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  12. Herald, Plymouth (2013-09-24). "Albion Ladies sting Wasps in a bad-tempered battle for third place". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  13. "Double header, Wasps ladies then Wasps Men". Rugbynetwork.net. 2003-03-25. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  14. "Wasps help with Wooden Spoon". Channel Online TV. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2014-02-28.