Having DMP in the league is vital for women’s game
DARLINGTON, UK. OCT 9TH Jess Wiesheu of Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and Georgie Perris-Redding of Sale Sharks Women during the WOMEN'S ALLIANZ PREMIER 15S match between DMP Durham Sharks and Sale Sharks at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington on Saturday 9th October 2021. (Credit: Chris Booth | MI News(
On the eve of the Women's Allianz Premier XVs fixtures announcement, the league postponed the publication due to “unexpected planning issues”. Whilst the rugby community was unaware of the reasons behind this, all became clear when the Durham Sharks Women set up a crowd funder to raise funds to enter the league.
With the success of the Lionesses winning the Euros and the media frenzy that went with it, it's quite hard to think that in the top flight of women's rugby, a team is struggling for financial security.
DMP are based in the North East of England and there is a need geographically in the domestic league for a team based North. Otherwise you miss out on all the talent pool from the North of England unable to travel to a southern club.
DMP have consistently fed the English national team and supported other nations home grown players to develop their rugby in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. It would have been a travesty if DMP hadn't been allowed into the league.
After a weekend of campaigning and 24 hour extension to raises funds including sponsorships and donations from the public, DMP and the RFU were able to confirm enough funds were raised to hit the “necessary standards and will therefore participate in the 2022/23 season”.
As a big fan of DMP, I'm delighted to still see the most northern team enter the league again. However I think more support and an intervention is needed to raise the standards and give the women the support and structure they deserve.
It was back in 2020 when the team were the highest they had ever been placed in sixth place under the guidance of Justin Loveridge and Tamara Taylor before Covid brought the season to an early end.
However, with the new iteration the Premiership, the club decided on a restructure. New coaches came and went and some left in the middle of the season which can be disconcerting for the team.
DMP have been struggling for results in the Premiership over the last few seasons and they hit an all time low of not winning any games last season. It can't go without noticing the high turnover of coaches that has meant the women haven't had the stability they deserve to develop the team.
Stability is vital as it allows the team to develop and grow under the guidance of the coach's playing structure. It helps nurture raw talent and gives the team confidence. A coach leaving mid-way though a season is incredibly unsettling for the team, let alone having to learn new structures all over again.
If DMP can get the financial backing, player recruitment and continuity of staff they stand a fair chance of being competitive. It won't be done overnight as the young talent takes time to nurture and develop, but success can be measured on other elements of the game rather than just winning and losing.
They can aim to reduce defeats, hit key performance indicators, develop their structure, focus on more time keeping the ball and turning opportunities into points. The inclusion of DMP in the league is vital, now its just about developing and sustaining them to be competitive.
