15/05/2026
Where did that season go? It feels like only yesterday everyone was lacing up their boots and stepping onto that hallowed turf in The Moats for preseason and a year of growth ahead.
It has been an incredible rugby journey for everyone involved with Tewkesbury Women. To go from 6 players to 26 regularly turning up to training was amazing and a huge achievement for the players following the recruitment drive early in preseason.
It was also a massive opportunity for what was, at the time, a brand new coaching setup. Led by Head Coach Nic Jones, working alongside his best friend, mentor and long time rugby partner Rich Whincup. Nicβs son, Ethan Jones, also came on board, continuing to grow in his coaching journey and ready for the challenges ahead. Jorja Taylor played a huge role too, not only as a physio and player, but also as a coach within the team. Later in the season, we also welcomed Jack Arnold-Brown into the coaching setup, who took to the role like a duck to water.
Preseason was in full swing and the squad was building nicely. Many of our players had never played rugby before, but you wouldnβt have known it. Everyone soaked up the coaching, worked hard, and was buzzing for the season ahead.
Our first league game came away at Pershore. It was a cracking match and showed straight away that we had a very special group of players capable of achieving great things in rugby. Unfortunately, the result didnβt go our way, losing 27β24 not knowing at the time that Pershore would go on to win the league.
Fast forward to November and our fourth game of the season brought our first home fixture, with Tewkesbury Women officially back on the rugby map. We were slightly short on numbers that day, but youβd never have noticed. The team connected brilliantly across the pitch to secure our first win of the season β and a home win at that β beating Old Crypts 45β25. What a special day that was for everyone at Tewkesbury.
After the festive break and moving into 2026, we suffered three losses on the bounce. However, we always put points on the board, with games often being decided by fine margins of only 7β14 points. It showed us that with a little more experience, guidance, and development, those close games could easily swing in our favour.
Before we knew it, March had arrived and the end of the season was approaching. We travelled down to Cinderford for another important away fixture. Cinderford has a proud reputation in the rugby world and we knew it would never be an easy game.
They brought the fight and it turned into another cracking contest. It came down to the final play and, as mentioned before, these were the moments we needed to finish. Thatβs exactly what the team did, scoring a last minute try to seal another away victory, winning 17β7.
As you can imagine, the team was over the moon. Of course, the wins are what everyone wants, but for us as coaches, itβs first and foremost about seeing players smiling, enjoying themselves, playing with their friends, and growing in confidence every week.
You can come away from a game with a loss and still take so many wins from the day.
Then suddenly, here it was, the final game of the season. April 18th. History was calling.
We finished the league exactly how we started it, with an away game. This time we were heading south to face Fairford. Another side with a strong reputation and league leaders at the time. We knew this match would likely decide the title for them.
Tape was strapped, boots were laced, and everyone was ready. It was time to show what this team was truly capable of.
The game itself was a brilliant contest with battles all over the pitch. At times, we really started to gain the upper hand and everything clicked into place, brilliant plays, fantastic teamwork, and huge individual moments. But Fairford werenβt going to roll over, they had plenty riding on the match too.
In the end, after an outstanding performance, Tewkesbury Women achieved something special, winning 24β20 away from home against the league leaders.
It was a fantastic achievement and showed everyone exactly what this group has inside them. The vision, skillset, teamwork, and game understanding are all there, and throughout the season they flourished.
I honestly could not be prouder of this team and everything achieved this season. As Iβve said before, itβs not just about the wins on the scoreboard, itβs about the wins within the game and everything achieved off the pitch week after week.
This season wasnβt only about the players. It was about everyone involved with Tewkesbury Women and everyone who helped us along the way.
So thank you to our Captains, Mandy Baldwin & Kerri Cotton, along with Jo Woodfield stepping in at times due to injury, our players, physio, coaches, everyone working behind the scenes, anyone else Iβve missed and Shirley Cox for the fantastic photography throughout the season capturing all the hard work, and our amazing supporters who stood on the sidelines come rain or shine cheering the team on every week.
Your support means more than you know.
In all we do, we always remember Paige and bring her spirit with us on and off the pitch.
Now itβs time for a short break, a chance to recharge, and then we go again, refreshed and ready for preseason in July.
Thank you.
Nic Jones (HC)
