WELLINGTON RFC ‘Vixens’ Women’s rugby team was formed in May this year and has been gathering continuous momentum with 23 registered players. 

The side was formed after coaches Dom Byrne and Hugh Barrett realised there was a desire locally to form a women’s team. Both Dom and Hugh are England Rugby qualified level II coaches with a breadth of playing and coaching experience in senior and junior rugby.

Hugh said there was never a better time to form a women’s team than now, with the club celebrating its 150th Anniversary and the Women’s rugby world cup being hosted in the UK in 2025.

As the Fox family were instrumental in forming the club way back in 1874 and the recent passing of Richard Fox, a long-standing stalwart of the club, we decided to call the women’s team the ‘Vixens’.

The media drive advertising the formation of the side drew good numbers to the initial training sessions in early May, many of the players living in Wellington were women who learnt their rugby in the Wellington RFC minis and juniors’ section pre pandemic.

Due to a lack of a senior team many were travelling to play for other clubs but have returned to join the Vixens.

Dom Byrne has taken the mantle of lead for the Vixens and has set out a five-year strategy for the development of the Vixens within the senior club structure, making them a permanent feature at the club with phase two looking at recruitment of junior girl’s teams for continued accession to the Vixens.

Due to the quality and experience of the Vixens squad Dom has successfully entered the Vixens into National Conference 3 South West Central. The Vixens will be in good company playing home and away to Bath Spartans, Wiveliscombe, Chard Ladies, Trowbridge, Cheddar Valley, Sidmouth and Cullompton Ladies II. With league, Cup and friendlies the Vixens will play 19 games.

The club aims to make the Vixens a community set up for any women over 18 years with no upper age limit to meet, form new friendships, get fit, learn new skills in a safe and inviting atmosphere at this great club with so much history in the town.

Hugh said we are experiencing encouraging numbers at training; many new players are enjoying the experience so much they are bringing their friends along. The Vixens have a thriving social side and last weekend had a BBQ which was hugely successful with many future events planned.

If any woman over 18 years of age wants to give rugby a try and be part of a thriving social group then please come along to training held at Wellington Rugby Club every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6.45pm until approximately 8.30pm.

HUGH BARRETT