Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Ladies Rugby Football Club (commonly shortened to DMP Sharks, also known briefly as DMP Durham Sharks for partnership purposes) is a women's rugby union club in Darlington, County Durham, England founded in 1996. Their top try scorer (42 tries in 68 appearances) Louisa Ramsey became the first player to score over 10 tries for Scotland.[1] They are the ladies team of Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C. and play in the Allianz Premier 15s.[2] They also play their home games at The Darlington Arena.[3]

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Full nameDarlington Mowden Park Sharks
UnionRFU
Nickname(s)Sharks
Founded1996
Ground(s)The Darlington Arena
League(s)Allianz Premier 15s

History

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks were founded in 1996 in Ripon. The club later moved to Thirsk, North Yorkshire where it was known as Thirsk RFC.[4] The club then moved to Darlington in 2006 and became affiliated to Darlington Mowden Park and changed its name accordingly.[1] In 2009, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks were promoted from Championship 1 North to the Women's Premiership after finishing top of the table. They then defeated Championship 1 South team, Bath Rugby Ladies in extra time in the playoffs in order to be promoted.[5]

Darlingon Mowden Park Sharks Ladies used to play their home matches at Yiewsley Drive. In 2012, Darlington Mowden Park purchased The Darlington Arena after its previous tenants, association football club Darlington F.C. went out of business and its phoenix club, Darlington 1883 F.C. decided to play its home games outside Darlington.[6] Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Ladies play their home games at The Darlington Arena alongside Darlington Mowden Park's men's team as well as their mini and junior teams.[3] They started playing at The Darlington Arena in the 2013-14 season.[7] In 2020, as part of the league re-tender process and formal agreements were confirmed, they changed their name to Darlington Mowden Park Durham Sharks to reflect their enhanced partnership with Durham University. Sadly the 2022/23 season will be the club's last in the Allianz Premier 15s. Despite valiant efforts by the whole club, the financial requirements/expectations of the next league phase are too great for an amateur club to aspire to, especially one without the backing and financial firepower of a premiership men's club.

Notable players
 England internationals
 Ireland international
 Scotland international
 France international
  • Maelle Picut
 United States international

Source:[9][10]

References
  1. "Scrum mothers do have 'em". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  2. "Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Ladies". RFU. 22 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. "Darlington Mowden Park buys town's 27,500 seater stadium (From The Northern Echo)". The Northern Echo. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  4. "Tamara Taylor". Sporting Champions. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  5. This is Bath (13 May 2009). "Bath Rugby Ladies lose 15-10 to Darlington Mowden Park Sharks in RFUW Premiership play-off". Bath Chronicle. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  6. "The local rugby club playing in a 25,000-seat stadium". BBC News. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  7. "Women's rugby Premiership preview". BT. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  8. "Away win is the next goal for Lisa Martin's Scotland". The Scotsman. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  9. "Trying time for rugby showdown friends". www.shieldsgazette.com. 17 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  10. "Katy McLean to captain England Women against France". BBC. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
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