Dorking RFC

Rachel Higgins - Club Captain

"Dorking Women has certainly shown it is a force to be reckoned with. We have had an incredibly successful first season, finishing top of the league and having some fantastic results along the way, as well as continuing to grow our Women’s section and encouraging more ladies to take to the field.

Looking ahead to this season I am excited to see the squad continue to thrive and show other teams what Dorking has to offer. Not only have we been promoted to NC2 after our first season, but we now have enough players to be able to enter a second team into the NC3 league. I am proud of the achievements Dorking Women have already had and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do this season. We have been lucky to have such a supportive group of coaches and a dedicated group of players who are all striving to promote the Dorking name within the Women’s section.

As a player who has been part of Dorking since U15s, I am delighted to be named as Club Captain and to see how successful the Women’s section has become. I am sure this season will throw some challenges at us, as the First XV face tougher opponents and our new players enter their first competitive league in NC3, but I am hopeful that both teams will continue to thrive.

I would like to say a big thank you for all the support the Women’s section have received over the past season; it has been a joy to be able to play on a Saturday on the Big Field with a crowd and the feedback from spectators has been amazing!

We hope to be able to showcase some exciting rugby and to encourage more women to get on the pitch in the coming season.

#WACOMB"

Lauren Parsons

“I'm honoured to be part of the newly setup women's senior leadership team (SLT). Our first season as Dorking Women in 2023/24 was a triumph and our numbers are increasing at an exciting rate.

The addition of new coaches and the SLT will ensure we can continue to provide each player with the support they need to achieve their goals, as well as push the team more in training and games so we can get back to the top of the league table. The introduction of two teams this season will have its challenges but I feel confident that we can establish the new setup and continue our success from last season.

The team is looking good in training and I am very excited to get a dorking shirt back on!”

Naomi Brown

“I am so honoured to take up a place on the women’s Senior Leadership Team. Women’s Rugby is forging ahead in leaps and bounds at all levels and I want to see that momentum going forward at Dorking. It will be great to be part of the team striving to meet this challenge.

My time in rugby began at Dorking aged five, going through the minis, juniors, senior games and outreach coaching for the club. Our last season was phenomenal and, having gained promotion, we are looking forward to being stretched and strengthened.

I am so excited to face the coming season with this team, a squad that drives me forward – our eclectic, supportive, committed group is really what it is all about. 2024/5 – bring it on.”

Lynn Tickner

“I’ve been playing for over 20yrs. It’s lovely to see how far Women’s Rugby has come. Opportunities etc. This is my 4th season at Dorking & I couldn’t be happier. We smashed last season. Really excited to see where this season takes us. The Support, encouragement from the club & the wonderful facilities has been second to none.

Lots of changes but we now have 2 teams & we are embracing every single one with the determination & dedication that saw us through the Development League, NC 3 & now NC2. I feel very privileged to have been asked to be part of the SLT & I hope I can make the club proud.”

Imogen Trigger

“As I head into my third season with Dorking, it is an honour to be selected as part of the new senior leadership team (SLT). We have grown so much as a team in the past few years and it is exciting to see how far we can go! There will be a shift this season as we have new coaching staff, two teams, as well as this new management approach; however I feel a bit of a shakeup is what we need to push us to that next level, both as individual players and as a team.

The SLT will hopefully provide an encompassing solution to support, guide and motivate the team, with the goal of getting us to the top of that league table. We want to provide an environment where we are playing some awesome rugby, alongside ensuring the players are being listened to, feel safe, and are enjoying themselves.

Let the games commence!”

Jacqui Ide

“It’s a real honour to be asked to be part of the SLT. From being a mum standing on the sideline watching my daughter play, to actually being part of the team in a nutshell is sometimes pleasantly terrifying but also terrific! I never thought in a million years I would be part of a rugby team in my 50’s! The team is such an incredible bunch. When I’m out there with them I can leave my world behind me, enjoying the fun and satisfaction of running around a muddy field with an odd shaped ball!

Last season was a huge success. Literally smashing their way through division 3 and now having two teams. Everyone has put in a lot of hard work, training, and they just keep improving. I can't wait to see what’s in store for next season!”

Amber Miller

“I started playing rugby for Dorking at the age of 13 and despite being at university for the past three years, Dorking has always been my home and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the women’s team go from strength to strength whilst always supporting me from afar. I am so lucky that I am able to come back to such a welcoming team who support each other both on and off the pitch.

I am returning to Dorking with a lot of newly acquired knowledge that I am hoping will lend itself to the role and I am excited to assist the rest of the SLT along with both of our teams so that the club can continue to improve and grow. I am very grateful to have been selected and really keen to get stuck in!”

Jemma Wood

“Our women’s team has gone from strength to strength in the 23/24 season and with the help of the Senior leadership team we hope to achieve the same this season in NC2 without hesitation.

Having been at the club for only 2 years it’s an honour to be chosen for a leadership role. This season will bring us our toughest challenges yet and I hope with my history in sport I can bring some resilience and drive when needed the most to help us strive for success.

Everyone’s working extremely hard in pre-season and I look forward to seeing what the next year brings. Watch this space.”

Director of Rugby, Armand Roux commented the following:

"We're truly privileged to have such a strong leadership team, made possible by the outstanding coaching staff we have in place.

With NC3 and NC2 so closely aligned, it's crucial that we ensure this group works cohesively. That's why we decided to expand our leadership team.

Each member brings unique strengths and will play a key role in what promises to be another fantastic season for the Dorking Women's section."