History
Harlequin Ladies Football Club was established in September 1995 when rugby playing Quins fan, Vanessa Matthews, bumped into a former Oxford University team-mate Kirstie Heslop, and the two decided that it would be a good idea to try to establish a Ladies side at Harlequins. With the help of the then Director of Rugby at Harlequins, Dick Best, and Harlequin Committee Member, the late Pat Currie, the idea soon grew into a team that was to win the league and go unbeaten in their first season.
Since then, the Harlequin Ladies have gone from strength to strength, establishing a highly successful youth side and forming strong links with the main club and the local community.
Within just five seasons, Harlequin Ladies had reached Division 1. There have been many changes to the squad over the years, but with a number of new recruits and former youth team ‘graduates’ joining the senior side, the team has strengthened its position in this league. In 2007/08 the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) restructured its league structure, positioning Harlequin Ladies in the Championship 2: South East League.
In August 2007, Harlequin Ladies became the first ladies side to become full members of the Rugby Football Union. Section 1 status was conferred on the club, meaning that they received full voting rights within the union.
Read more about this topic: Harlequin Ladies Football Club
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