THE PROGRAM
We're very proud of what we have managed to build at the University for our women.
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The offer has been a culmination of hard work by coaching staff, committee & county staff to afford the ladies who come to Durham with some of the best opportunities in the North East of England.
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Read on below to find out more:
COACHES
MATT TUCKER
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- Head Coach, (Ex Semi-pro, obtained 3 pro
offers before injury)
- Extensive playing career across RFU and IRFU systems
- Coaching Career across RFU (unto county
and 1 level below ACE College) and IRFU
(Provincial)
- 16 Certification through World Rugby, 6 RFU
Qualifications, Level 1 Referee and Level 2 First
Aid
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SIMON O"NEIL
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- RFU National Refereeing Panel & referee
developer within the RFU for the North Region.
- Has refereed National Cup Finals
- 7’s Circuit Referee
- Former Premiership Women’s Referee
- 5 RFU Qualifications, Level 6 Referee
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CHRIS HOLMES
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- County & PDG coach within the RFU
- Played for the Infantry & Civil Service
- 4 RFU Qualifications, Level 2 Referee & Level 3
First Aid
BEN HARDING
- County & PDG Coach within the RFU
- North East XV, Training Coach
- 3 RFU Qualifications, Level 1 Referee & Level 2
First Aid
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CARL ARNOTT
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- County & PDG coach within the RFU
- 5 RFU Qualifications Level 1 Referee & Level 2
First Aider
PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES
- Exiles Systems (If you have parents/grandparents with
citizenship to a country not of your birth, you qualify to play
for them)
- Premiership U23’s & Women (we have informal links with
premiership women’s sides)
- Weekend University College Games & Internal College Cup.
- BUCS Teams in Women’s Premier, Women’s North Tier 2
(entering a 3rd XV team in Women’s North Tier 3, 2026-27)
- Friendlies against other ‘big name universities’ & touring
sides (examples Cambridge, Alberta, etc…)
- 7’s Opportunities in BUCS, Local & National Competitions (in
England and Scotland)
- Tours organised by the Club at the End of Year (not always
with playing opportunities)
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Captaincy/Leadership Workshops
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- Laws Workshops
- Rugby Watch Party & Reviews
- 8-12 Games depending on the BUCS team
- Cup games with 1’s and 2’s
- S&C weekly for core 36 playing group
- S&C weekly for all other players
- Player collected & Coach led game analysis
- Physio therapy & rehab S&C Group slots
- Player Development Plans for scholars
- 1-1s Available
- Women's Health in Rugby Worshop
- Access to ‘Years Info’ Sheet which lay out the seasons information in a digestable, easy to navigate spreadsheet.
CPD OPPORTUNITIES
- Committee roles to boost CV and club experience
- Executive Committee roles to enhance CV further
- Roles in Team Durham Committee for CV experience in
sport
- Mentorship Availability throughout the year as player,
referee, or coach by Coach Mentors
- RFU funded development:
- Refereeing Course (15 Spaces/year, Free)
- Coaching Course (RFU Vouchers to do course
for free)
EXPOSURE
- Website
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- Instagram
- Tik Tok
- YouTube (newly created)
Proudly Sponsored by:
