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The Rise of the Valkyries
Building a Future for Girls’ Rugby in Gloucestershire
The Valkyries were born out of a shared challenge and a shared vision.
In early 2024, both Painswick and Dursley rugby clubs faced the same dilemma: several of their young female players were nearing the U11 age cut-off for mixed rugby and would soon be unable to play alongside the boys.
Among those affected were the daughters of two coaches, Chris from Painswick and Dave from Dursley. Determined to keep their girls playing, both men began exploring ways to create new opportunities for girls’ rugby in their local area.
In February 2024, flyers advertising girls’ taster sessions, run in partnership with the Gloucester Rugby Foundation, began circulating. Chris spotted one and reached out. That call connected him with Dave, and from there, the seeds of the Valkyries were sown. Like many good rugby plans, the early conversations took place over a pint in a pub, and momentum quickly gathered.
By the end of the season, the pair had met several times and developed a plan to run joint sessions between their two clubs, starting in September 2024.
The first session drew just six girls, but from the outset, it was clear something special was happening. The players gelled immediately. Over the following months, friendships began to flourish, and word spread.
Soon, Old Cryptians joined the conversation, facing a similar gap in provision for their U12 girls. What started as two clubs became three, and with a broader base of players, matches became a reality.
The Valkyries had officially arrived.
Since then, the team has continued to grow from strength to strength. They’ve completed their first full season, training on Tuesday nights at the Great Oldbury Community Centre and playing matches or holding training sessions on Sundays. The squad now spans U12’s and U14’s, with over 20 girls attending regularly, developing not just as players, but as a tight-knit team.
Their debut season was full of firsts: from friendly fixtures to local festivals, and even a tour to the Midlands for the Woodys 7s tournament. For many girls, it was their first experience of competitive rugby, some had never even picked up a ball before. But by season’s end, they were tackling with confidence, scoring tries, and building bonds that extended far beyond the pitch.
As the 2025–26 season approaches, the focus shifts to sustaining and expanding this progress. With players moving into U14 and a handful entering U16’s, the next challenge is to keep the momentum going and ensure there’s a clear, supported pathway for girls to play rugby throughout their teens and beyond—particularly in the Stroud, East Gloucestershire, and Severn Valley areas where opportunities have historically been limited.
Behind the Valkyries are coaches with deep passion and experience.
Dave began coaching nearly 30 years ago through the Navy after his playing days ended, and has since coached men, women, boys, and girls at club, county, and representative levels.
Chris, too, has coached a range of age groups over the years, and although this has been his first full season back on the pitch in some time, he’s already looking forward to what comes next.
The biggest challenge? Creating a sustainable pipeline for girls’ rugby in the region. However, the opportunity to build something lasting and transformative is what drives them forward.
And the proudest moments? There have been many. But perhaps the most rewarding of all has been watching each player grow in confidence, whether it’s landing their first tackle or celebrating a debut try. For the Valkyries, it’s been a season of firsts. And it’s only just the beginning.
