Chiefs' fans can offer women's side a helping hand
By Mark Stevens
22/4/20
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby is hopeful the club’s supporters and local community can help offer her a helping hand as she looks to prepare her squad for their inaugural season in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
Earlier this month the Chiefs were told that their application to join the top tier of the women’s game in England had been successful - and that they would form part of the ten-team tournament, which is scheduled to kick-off in mid-September.
Alongside her assistant, Amy Garnett, Appleby has spent the past few months prepping for the application decision - and now that has been granted - the hard work had begun in earnest of assembling a competitive playing squad to challenge rival clubs.
“It’s all systems go,” said Appleby. “We are working hard to recruit a competitive squad, which will include us recruiting some players from overseas. Already we are speaking to players from Japan, USA, New Zealand, Spain, Holland and Ireland.
“Our players will be semi-professional, but we are reaching out to the Chiefs family and the local community as a whole to help us to provide accommodation for some of these players. We are due to begin pre-season training in July with our first league game on September 12. Should we make the play-offs, our season will end on May 1.
“Obviously, the current lockdown situation regarding the Covid-19 outbreak means that those dates could well change depending on Government advice, but equally we are keen to register if there is any interest from supporters or people within the community who may be able to assist us.”
Appleby continued: “The players would not expect food, but if you feel you can help in any way by providing a spare room/rooms, or if you have any reasonably priced accommodation for rent, we would love to hear from you.
“The players we are looking to recruit all have International hours and are keen to join our squad and become the best players they can be ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. Here at the Chiefs, we know we will provide them with a world class training environment and feel that living with our supporters will give them the full Exeter Chiefs experience.”
If you are able to assist Susie in any way, you are asked to email her at [email protected]