The incredible success story of Sutton Coldfield RFC Women reached new heights this week with confirmation that they have been promoted to ‘Championship 2’, the third tier of women’s rugby in England after securing back-to-back ‘National Conference 1’ league titles.
Since entering the RFU league structure in 2017/18 as a ‘Development’ side the club have gone from strength to strength, gaining promotion from ‘level 5’ at the first attempt with an unblemished playing record.
Success in the new ‘National Conference 1’ league in 2018/19 continued following another unbeaten campaign but an agonising ‘play off’ defeat to Bury St Edmunds denied them the promotion they craved.
Season 2019/20 saw another unbeaten runaway ‘National Conference 1’ league success that once again qualified the team for an end of season ‘play off’ this time against Newton Abbot Ladies from Devon. However, the ‘play off’ game wasn’t able to take place because of COVID-19 and the RFU have now decreed Sutton Coldfield Women should be promoted as they had the superior playing record of the ‘play off’ contenders over the whole campaign.
Great credit for the success and growth of the club must go to captain Charlie Byrne, vice-captain Emma Clueit together with lead coaches Nathan Burchell and George Ord supported by assistants Tom Foulsham and Miles Gregory who have all been there from the very start of this amazing journey. The team has continued to evolve every season with the development of young inexperienced girls coupled with the astute recruitment of top quality senior players. In addition, for the first time the club fielded a 2nd XV to provide game time for the growing number of girls wanting to get involved.
The season recently ended saw just 22 points conceded, the best defensive record of any women’s team in the country. On the offensive front 621 points were scored with Jada Bailey leading the try scoring charts with 18, closely followed by Roisin McBrien 15, Connie Bradshaw 11 and Katie Gregory 10.
The club are always on the lookout for new players of all experience levels, anyone wishing to get involved should contact Team Manager, Gerry Shanahan on 07967 851341.

Photo attached - Sutton Coldfield RFC Women, league champions 2019/20.

Gerry Shanahan
Sutton Coldfield RFC Women
Team Manager