HARLEQUINS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 07

WELCOME FROM HARLEQUINS AND THE HARLEQUINS FOUNDATION TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE QUARTERS POST COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

You’ll notice we’ve made an exciting the development of the women’s Harlequins has a core belief that change to this issue! game from grassroots up and women and girls should have the pride ourselves on the work and same opportunities to participate in In celebration of International investment both the Club and the sport, and that fundamentally the Women’s Day on Friday 8th March, sport should be seen as rugby, not and ahead of our annual celebration Foundation put in. defined by the gender of the person of the Women’s game – The Game Inside you can read some of the participating. Rugby is seeing huge Changer, on 30th March, this inspiring stories of our Harlequins diversification and we want to be at Quarter’s Post focuses solely on Heroes, learn about the Club’s the forefront of this. Our goal is to the Women and Girls involved in commitment to deliver parity educate and inspire young girls to Harlequins rugby and the work we in the sport and hear how you be part of this success and provide continually do to drive the growth of and your family can get involved opportunities to get involved in the the Women’s game. in women and girls rugby sport we love, developing role models at all levels, no matter what in our community in the process. As We are immensely proud to be “HARLEQUINS recognised as a leading voice in your ability. a father of two young girls myself I HAS A CORE have witnessed first hand the barriers BELIEF THAT they face to participation in sport, WOMEN AND which research now recognises as GIRLS SHOULD starting in the early years of primary HAVE THE SAME school, becoming ever more stark as they get older – and I am not happy OPPORTUNITIES to just accept it! TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORT, So please join us in continuing to promote participation and AND THAT engagement with this great FUNDAMENTALLY sport and help us to make a real THE SPORT difference now. SHOULD BE We hope you enjoy this special issue SEEN AS RUGBY, of the Quarter’s Post. NOT DEFINED BY THE GENDER OF THE PERSON Marc Leckie PARTICIPATING.” Head of Harlequins Foundation ABOUT HARLEQUINS LADIES AND GIRLS RUGBY In August 2017, Harlequins formally launched its women and girls programme. In doing so, the Club reaffirmed its commitment to growing and developing the women’s game by creating a pathway from grassroots to elite international rugby. Girls can be introduced to the game through the Harlequins Foundation’s Switch programme and can then become more formally affiliated with the sport through the Harlequin Amateurs girls’ section. Developing through minis, junior and teenage rugby, Harlequins provides a number of options to play at a social or elite adult level through the Harlequins Ladies third, second and first teams. No matter what your age or ability, if you have an interest in rugby, then Harlequins can provide the nurture and development to grow your skills.

YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH HARLEQUINS LADIES AND GIRLS RUGBY IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

WWW.QUINS.LONDON/NEWS/#WOMENS-NEWS FACEBOOK.COM/HARLEQUINSLADIES @HARLEQUINSWOMEN @HARLEQUINSLADIES HARLEQUINS FOUNDATION HOST SUCCESSFUL GIRLS’ RUGBY FESTIVALS ON 19TH JANUARY, THE FOUNDATION HOSTED ITS FIRST PRE-GAME SWITCH COACHING CLINIC OF 2019.

Over 120 girls, from nine flagship girls’ rugby development different rugby clubs including, programme ‘Switch’ out on the Chobham RFC, Sutton & road during the February half Epsom RFC, Old Reigatians term. RFC, Guildfordians RFC, Over the course of five days, the Havant RFC, Staines RFC, team visited five different girls’ London Scottish FC, Battersea rugby clubs to give girls aged Ironsides and London Irish, 11-18 a flavour of what they can attended the clinic which forms expect at ‘The Game Changer’ part of the Foundations flagship matchday coaching clinics and women and girls ‘Switch’ Easter school holiday ‘Switch’ HOW SWITCH IS HELPING programme. camps. Harlequins Foundation Harlequins Ladies star players TO CHANGE LIVES Participation Manager, Matthew Rachael Burford, Ellie Green, Ellie Williams said: As a young carer for her younger brother who has Miles, Davinia Caitlin, Leah Lyons autism, Emilie Gabriel has a challenging home “It was amazing to see so and Bex Rowe were all on hand life. Until Switch came to her school she hadn’t many girls representing their to help coach the 203 aspiring had much to do with sport of any kind, but she clubs so well despite it being young girls that turned out over decided to give rugby a go. an exceptionally cold January the week. morning! I was incredibly Since she started playing rugby Emilie has grown in One of the roadshow parents impressed with the way all of confidence. Rugby showed her that she could find commented “Last week was the girls applied themselves, solutions to the challenges she was facing. It gave my daughter’s first experience they were great to coach, so full her the chance to let off steam. of rugby and she thoroughly credit to them! We’ve got to say enjoyed it. Many Thanks for a a massive thanks to all of their brilliant camp!” “I GET EMOTIONAL THINKING ABOUT parents and coaches too who David McGuigan of Old Reigatian THE DIFFERENCE WE’RE MAKING TO have clearly done a great job in rugby club also said, “I’d just like supporting and developing girl’s KIDS THROUGH RUGBY. IT REALLY DOES to say thanks for coming to OR’s rugby, long may it continue!” HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES.” last week, the girls all loved it But the good news didn’t and went home happy and tired, [MARK LAMBERT, HARLEQUINS PLAYER AND stop there. Together with the a true mark of success! We’d CHAIRMAN OF THE RUGBY PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION] Harlequins Ladies team, The love to see you back here in the Harlequins Foundation took their summer!” She had felt isolated at school, but rugby helped her make new friends from different backgrounds. Emilie has also discovered that she has a real talent, representing Middlesex Under 15s and earning a rugby scholarship at the prestigious Reed’s School.

THE FOUNDATION WILL BE HOLDING THEIR NEXT PRE- GAME COACHING CLINIC, WHEN THE HARLEQUINS LADIES RETURN TO THE STOOP FOR THE GAME CHANGER ON THE 30TH OF MARCH. CHECK OUT THE SOCIAL CHANNELS FOR REGULAR UPDATES!

@QUINSFOUNDATION @HARLEQUINSFOUNDATION @HARLEQUINSFOUNDATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN 11 2 WOMEN’S AND GIRLS SCHOOLS ENGAGED WITH IN BRAND NEW GIRLS SCHOOLS RUGBY? AND RICHMOND SINCE 2016 RUGBY TEAMS CREATED HARLEQUINS HAS A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES: 246 10,000 ATTENDED LADIES’ MATCH DAY AMBITION TO ENGAGE WITH 10,000 COACHING CLINICS THIS SEASON GIRLS OVER NEXT 10 YEARS SWITCH In October 2016, the Harlequins Foundation launched Switch – a multi-tiered programme 203 400 aimed at encouraging girls to get involved in the sport by: ATTENDED FEBRUARY 2019 GIRLS TAKEN PART IN SWITCH SCHOOL SWITCH ROADSHOW SESSIONS THIS SEASON • Increasing accessibility and participation – providing opportunities for girls to take part in rugby. Jake Matthews says: “The start of • Inspiring and Exceling – using our coaches HARLEQUINS the season brought a new challenge to nurture and develop girls’ progression for Harlequins Ladies 3rd XV. We’ve within the game. LADIES 3rds managed to grow and develop our squad significantly since the beginning • Developing and Sustaining – educating Harlequins Ladies 3rds have been in of the year and we now have a pool of staff, supporting schools, and providing an the community for over 25 years and over 30 players that are available for onward pathway. offer fun and sociable rugby, open selection each week. to players of all abilities and those FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: wanting to get involved with the sport. The team is constantly expanding and WWW.HARLEQUINS.FOUNDATION/ The team compete within the National the bond between the players and PARTICIPATION. Challenge South East Middle 2 and coaches is growing stronger each training takes place on Thursday week, which has been reflected in the evenings at Old Isleworthians, improvement performances and some Isleworth. fantastic results in recent weeks. “We’re currently sitting in the middle HARLEQUIN QUINS 3rds XV MAKING GREAT of the table and there is a real sense PROGRESS IN 2018/19 of consistency and clarity within the AMATEURS group which allows the girls to go out and play with confidence. Harlequin Amateurs currently have U13s Harlequins Ladies 3rd XV are just over and U15s girls teams who train on Sunday half-way through the season and sitting “This year is very much a stepping mornings at St. Mary’s University Sports comfortably in the middle of the table. stone for next season and we’re Ground, (10:00-12:00). With the beginning of the season constantly looking to grow. We want to make sure that our players feel valued Training is run by qualified and CRB checked focused on bringing the team together and we always endeavour to be as Harlequins Community Coaches and is open and appointing new Head Coach, inclusive as possible. I’d urge anyone to players of all abilities. Jake Matthews, there is an exciting second half expected and a real buzz to come down and be a part of it.” FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: emanating from the squad. WWW.HARLEQUINRUGBY.CO.UK OR EMAIL: TO GET IN CONTACT WITH HARLEQUINS LADIES 3RDS, PLEASE EMAIL: [email protected]. [email protected]. AN INTERVIEW WITH HARLEQUIN STAR AND LOCAL GIRL... HARLEQUINS LADIES WINGER HEATHER COWELL IS TWICKENHAM BORN AND BRED.

“I first played rugby as a kid Now a regular in the Ladies 1st at Chase Bridge School in team, Cowell has truly made Twickenham, but unfortunately The Stoop her home. With the knocked it on the head when team sitting in second-position I could no longer play with in the 2018/19 Tyrrells Premier the boys. 15s table, and Heather topping the squad’s try-scoring list, the I had to then make a decision local girl is thoroughly enjoying between gymnastics and rugby at her first full season at Quins: the age of 11 and I chose to follow “It’s a fantastic set-up here. The that line-up, running out on the gymnastics before returning to the whole Club is behind the women’s Stoop pitch for the Club, is such game at university.” programme, and their support an incredible feeling. Quins has allows us to go out and play the “TO BE done a phenomenal job in terms Cowell has followed Quins her best we can. IN THAT entire life, so the opportunity to LINE-UP, of getting people down for the wear the famous quartered shirt “Karen (Findlay) and Gary (Street) RUNNING matches so the size of the crowd, and run out at The Stoop is a real lead the team incredibly well and combined with noise they make honour: “It’s fantastic to be able to promote an ethos within the group OUT ON when we hit the pitch, is just play for my local team. In fact the which is about all or nothing, and THE STOOP incredible. first ever top-flight rugby match that drives our work ethic.” PITCH FOR I ever saw was at The Stoop. I “I’ve always got a lot of family and THE CLUB, friends who come down to watch once played a tag rugby match “As a squad, we all know how IS SUCH AN there when I was at school, and much the shirt means and within when we play there. All my friends it was a huge deal for me and all the group there’s always a huge INCREDIBLE are from the local area, so it’s very my friends. amount of competition. To be in FEELING.” special for me to have them there to support me. We work so hard in the week at training so to have the opportunity to show people what we can do and the level of performance we can achieve means a lot to us as a group of players.”

Cowell is eager to see as many local supporters at The Game Changer as possible to cheer on the team: “This match is something we have been looking forward to all year. It’s been a huge focus and I’d urge all local people to come down and see what Harlequins Ladies are about. The more people we get, the more the game is going to grow, and we really want the local community to be a part of that.” THE GAME CHANGER SATURDAY 30TH MARCH HARLEQUINS LADIES AIM TO RECREATE HISTORY WITH A RECORD CROWD AT THE STOOP.

Following last year’s record of same access to the support staff and the highest ever UK attendance the results are there for all to see”. for a women’s club match (4,545 Shaunagh Brown, one of Findlay’s v Richmond FC), Harlequins has ‘heroes’ who holds down a day job launched The Game Changer: an as a firefighter and has represented annual celebration of the women’s her country as a hammer thrower game at The Stoop. at the Commonwealth Games as The Club has set its sights on well as in an rugby jersey, breaking that record again with its said: “I am honoured just to be a fixture against Gloucester Hartpury on part of this team. The commitment Saturday 30th March. that Harlequins has made to growing women’s rugby in this country has Harlequins has led the way in been incredible, and The Game promoting women’s rugby in this Changer is another giant step in the country and The Game Changer is right direction. I am incredibly proud to another bold innovation from the Club Together, through their incredible be a part of this Club and all it is doing as it continues to seek parity for the dedication, they are helping change to lead the game of women’s rugby.” women’s game in the sport. “I AM the sporting landscape. We hope to see you here again to The match will be the platform to INCREDIBLY create an even larger and louder PROUD TO BE Findlay said: “We continue to set showcase the heroic exploits of the bar high at Harlequins with our crowd than before! Harlequins Ladies’ players and A PART OF ambition for women’s rugby and coaches both on and off the field. THIS MATCH IS INCLUDED IN THE THIS CLUB the Club have been fantastic in 2018/19 MEMBERSHIP, BUT MUST BE On top of a gruelling and intense AND ALL IT IS empowering the team and everyone CLAIMED BEFOREHAND. FOR NON- playing schedule, the Club’s players DOING TO LEAD connected with it as we go from MEMBERS, TICKETS COST £10 FOR are firefighters, soldiers, teachers and THE GAME strength to strength. ADULTS AND £5 FOR JUNIORS AND CAN business-leaders, while Karen Findlay, BE PURCHASED AT: the squad’s co-Head Coach, is a chief OF WOMEN’S “Our players are able to train using inspector with the Metropolitan Police. RUGBY.” the same facilities as the men with the TICKETS.QUINS.CO.UK. BECOME A

WITH QUINS LADIES

Ahead of Harlequins’ Heroes taking Learn to box the field on 30th March, the Club “Finding my voice” is encouraging supporters and neighbours to become Game Changers themselves by getting active and setting yourself a personal fitness challenge.

Whether you want to run your first 10k, lift a certain weight in the gym, or generally lose a few pounds, we want to hear about it because anyone, no matter what level of fitness, can be a Game Changer. Quins staff are already getting involved! YOU CAN SHARE YOUR FITNESS CHALLENGE WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING: #THEGAMECHANGER Cycle Run a 10k 40 miles per week

HARLEQUINS DONATE 200 TICKETS TO 20 LOCAL CHARITIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS Harlequins is delighted to be able to donate 200 matchday tickets to 20 local charities and community groups in the borough, as the Club continues to encourage more people from the local community to engage in Women’s Rugby.

Henry Cox, Head of Community Relations at Harlequins said: “Every day, Richmond’s local charities and volunteer organisations do an incredible job to support the borough’s most vulnerable and in-need residents and work tirelessly to help improve our neighbourhood. As a resident of this borough for over 100 years, we are proud to show our appreciation of these amazing organisations and look forward to welcoming them to The Stoop.” HARLEQUINS SHORTLISTED FOR THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD

Harlequins’ continued hard work to grow women’s rugby has been recognised by The Sports Industry Group by being shortlisted for the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the BT Sport Industry Awards 2019 for our Women and Girls Rugby Programmes. “WE ARE ABSOLUTELY THRILLED TO BE NOMINATED FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT AWARD AT THIS PRESTIGIOUS EVENT.”

The BT Sport Industry Awards is the most prestigious commercial sports awards in Europe and the “We are absolutely thrilled to be THE AWARDS WILL BE industry’s flagship event. Attended nominated for such an important TH by 1,700 high profile guests from HELD ON THURSDAY 25 award at this prestigious event. APRIL 2019. the British and international sport There are some fantastic industry including business leaders, programmes on the shortlist and TO SEE DETAILS OF ALL celebrities, sporting legends and to be included amongst them NOMINATIONS VISIT: media. is an amazing achievement and WWW.SPORTINDUSTRY.BIZ/ is credit to the teams’ drive and Other shortlisted organisations EVENTS/AWARDS/2019/ include AIG, ECB, npower, SKODA dedication to deliver on this priority UK and Women in Football. for Harlequins.” SHORTLIST

UPCOMING FIXTURES AT THE STOOP AND SURREY SPORTS PARK

23RD MARCH 14:00 30TH MARCH 14:00 8TH APRIL 19:30 13TH APRIL 15:00 3RD MAY K/O TBC HARLEQUINS LADIES HARLEQUINS LADIES HARLEQUINS HARLEQUINS HARLEQUINS VS DMP VS GLOUCESTER VS SARACENS VS NORTHAMPTON VS LEICESTER SHARKS HARTPURY STORM SAINTS TIGERS

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