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HERE COME THE GIRLS!!

DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD VIXENS…….The story so far November 2009

Dudley Kingswinford Ladies started 3 seasons ago to challenge the ‘gentlemen’ to an end of season charity match. A great way to celebrate the end of season and hopefully raise money for charity at the same time the match soon became a regular fixture. However the ladies enjoyed both the training and the team spirit that came with it so much that they decided to try and found a team of their own. Once the training became more serious and with a hard recruitment drive off all involved a steady trickle of new players started turning up each week, the numbers swelled to 20 plus and the squad was formed. Many of the girls had never played before but thanks to the coaches Darren Moore and Richie Evans (at the time) the confidence and skills of the girls grew and September 2008 saw the Vixens enter the RFUW North Mids development league. It was a huge learning curve for the girls but after a very successful season The Vixens finished 2nd in the league.

Sadly Richie Evans left the ladies and new coach Tom (Saddo) Saddington from Redditch RFC took over the coaching of the backs whilst Darren (Bobby Dazzler) Moore continued as head and forwards coach. The Vixens are also very lucky to have the expertise of England player Sarah Guest (Guesty!!) on hand who, commitments allowing helps out whenever she can. Sarah started her playing career as a child with DK and has played England u19s, England u 20s, England 7s and England A, and Worcester first team. Lets hope some of the Vixens will follow in her footsteps!!

Following the success of season 2008/9 the Vixens were promoted this season to The RFUW North Mids challenge 1 league, playing against local rivals Stourbridge, well established Bridgenorth, Hucclecote, Old Pats, Shrewsbury and Tewkesbury. It has been a frustrating start to the season with some niggling injuries from the end of last season keeping some of the more experienced players on the bench. However despite some close losses in their first matches the girls are growing in strength and are looking forward to their first win at home on Sunday 8th November k/o 2.30 against Shrewsbury Ladies. PLEASE come and support them!!

The girls train every Monday evening from 7pm and are always looking for new players, It doesn’t matter what experience you have or how old you are (although you have to be 18 to play – you can train with us from 16/17 upwards) Please contact JAN BURBIE on 01384 401356 or 07814 321709 for further details.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIXENS

Jenny Renton (Jenny Wren) – fly half/centre – Captain Age 23 Previous clubs - Coalville A fantastic addition to the team Jenny joined us last year and always leads by example – on and off the pitch!

Jan Burbie (Florist Gump)– scrum half Age unknown Previous clubs - none Founder of the team and captain off the pitch Jan intends to keep playing until wheelchair rugby is introduced to the club!

Gemma (Germ) Wilkes – fly half Age 24 Previous clubs -Worcs 2nds Gemma was here at the beginning – she came over from Worcs just to help out one match and now we cant get rid of her! A cracking all round player.

Linda Gwilliam – front row Age 30 something Previous clubs - none When Lin first started playing Richie (Mr tactful) Evans said (and I quote) “ You are the same shape as me Linda, you can go hooker” To be fair though, she’s never looked back……

Victoria (Big Vic) Rollinson – front row Age 23 Previous clubs - none Despite the pink underwear Vic is scared of no man, beast women or child! – just glad she’s on our side. Victoria (little Vic) Baldwin – front row Age 23 Previous clubs -Worcs 2nds Same as above but smaller!

Ciara O’Malley- front row Age 23 Previous clubs – Uni team The latest addition to the team and our first overseas player (sort of) a great addition to the forwards. Quiet but deadly.

Rachel (undertaker) Berry – back row Age 28 Previous clubs -Warley Yes she really is an undertaker!! Despite her size the flying squirrel is one of the hardest players on the pitch.

Rachel (Big Rach) Hopton – 2nd row /no 8 Age 27 Previous clubs – Harlequins Rachel joined last season and is one of the hardest players on the pitch. She plays to win every week and is a truly awesome tackler.

Anneke Fice – 2nd row /no 8 Age 29 Previous clubs - none She’s a Fice!! Do I need to say more?

Laura Flavell – 2nd row Age 26 Previous clubs – Worcs 2nds Laura has grown from strength to strength and is a core member of the team.

Rebecca (Big Bex or older Bex or just the ‘other’ Bex) Woodhall – 2nd row Age JUST 30 Previous clubs - Worcs 2nds One of our more genteel players, a true lady on and off the pitch.

Rebecca (Lil’ Bex or younger Bex) Edwards – wing/full back Age 20 Previous clubs - Army team A loud and colourful member of the team, one of the quickest on the pitch and an awesome tackler.

Laura Webb - centre Age 22 Previous clubs - Chaddesley Corbett Laura joined us at the beginning of the season and is growing in confidence every match.

Louise (Lou) Guest - win Age 26 Previous clubs – Worcs 2nds / Uni team Sister of THE Sarah Guest, it is definitely in the genes!! Just coming back from several injuries we have really missed Lou’s intuitive playing style and incredible pace – welcome back mate!!

Michelle (Shell) Cooper – front row Age 26 Previous clubs – none Shell took a bit of persuading in the first instance but now there is no stopping her – literally!!

Natalie (Old Nat) Hodgkiss – wing/ full back Age 34 Previous clubs – none A great utility back to have on the team – a great tackler Nat keeps the whole team amused with her antics – on and off the pitch!! We couldn’t do without her.

Natalie (New Nat) Clark – centre/full back Age22 Previous clubs – somewhere up North Natalie has just moved down from Wigan and was accredited ‘Dame of The Game’ on her debut match. An awesome tackler.

Julie (Jules) Woollaston – anywhere you put her Age 38 Previous clubs – none Jules is a fantastic player to have on the team as she can play front row or winger with the same tenacity and passion.

Claire (Claire) Lawson – 2nd row/ back row Age 21 Previous clubs – Coalville Claire has moved across from Coalville RFC and travels every week from Derby to play for us – a fantastic commitment, well done Claire.

Steph Palmer - wing Age 20 Previous clubs – none The baby of the team only having played a couple of matches - Steph is improving with every game – she also has the best gum shield!

Emma Wilkes – front row Age 22 Previous clubs – none Em is a strong and confident player on the pitch.

Tina Cooper – centre/no8 Age 22 Previous clubs – Worcs 2nds At present Tina is on the bench for an extended period due to the arrival of the very first Vixens cub in the spring of 2010!

Kate (Doris) Henderson -2nd row/back row Age 18 Previous clubs – none Kate has just turned 18 and has yet to make her debut, watch this space...

Rachel (Leggy) Legge - Wing Age – as this goes to print 17 yrs and 360 something days! Previous clubs - none We never thought she would make it but as the big 18 looms Rachel has grown in confidence and every training session she improves in front of our eyes – Leggy, we cant wait !! roll on the 14th of November 2009. Last but by no means least –

Rhiannon Stokes – At present water girl Age nearly 17 and counting…. Rhi is only 16 but easily has the strength and capabilities to play senior Ladies rugby – we are counting with you Rhi – the days until you can play for the Vixens and we hope that will finally stop you moaning!!