Aylesford Bulls Ladies

Aylesford Bulls Ladies Rugby Football Club were a women's rugby union club based in Aylesford, Kent, England. They played in the Women's Premiership. They were founded in 1998[1] and were the ladies team of Aylesford Bulls. Following an agreement with Harlequins, Aylesford Bulls initially received support from them however in 2017, they were taken over to become Harlequins Ladies.[2]

Aylesford Bulls Ladies
Full nameAylesford Bulls Ladies Rugby Football Club
UnionRFU
Founded1998

History

In 2006, Aylesford were promoted into Championship 2 South East after finishing top of their previous league unbeaten. Also in 2006, their captain Natalie Garrett died of cancer.[3] As part of a tribute, Aylesford Bulls have had NJG imprinted onto their playing shirts.[1] In 2008, Aylesford were invited to participate in the Dubai Exiles Rugby 7s where they played the England women's national rugby sevens team.[4] They were almost relegated in 2010, which led to an overhaul in the way the team was managed. This included inviting Germany women's national rugby union team head coach, Susanne Wiedemann to coach them.[5] The next year, they were promoted into Championship 1 after defeating Plymouth Albion Ladies in a promotion playoff.[1] In 2013, Aylesford defeated Thurrock T-Birds in the promotion play-off to be promoted into the Women's Premiership for the first time.[6] The next season, they took part in the first Women's Kent Cup.[7]

In 2017, Aylesford Bulls Ladies won the final Women's Premiership before the introduction of the Premier 15s league. Following this victory, Harlequins Ladies took over the team fully and took their position in the new league.[2]

Notable former players
 England internationals
 Ireland international
 United States international
 Italy international
  • Michela Sillari

References
  1. "Aylesford Bulls Ladies". RFU. 22 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  2. "Catherine Spencer: Litchfield will get new chance to join in 2019". 14 September 2017.
  3. "Bulls see off Invitational side in charity match". Kent News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  4. "Dubai 7'S squad announced". Sportsister. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  5. "Wiedemann zurück aus England" (in German). TotalRugby. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  6. Brian Dick (29 April 2013). "Worcester win rugby Women's Premiership for first time". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  7. "Medway Ladies 0-62 Aylesford Bulls Ladies". Kent Sports News. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  8. Orchard, Sara (5 September 2013). "Women's Premiership: England captain backs revamp". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  9. "Retired England captain at Aylesford Bulls". Kent News. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  10. "Sene Naoupu". www.ultimaterugby.com. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  11. "Ireland Women's Sevens Squad Confirmed For Langford". www.irishrugby.ie. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
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