Harlequins Women, are a women's rugby union club based in Guildford, Surrey, England and in Twickenham, Middlesex, England. They were founded in 1995 as the women’s team of Harlequin FC and rebranded in 2017 after merging with Aylesford Bulls. In 2017, they were selected as one of the franchises for the new Premier 15s league, but also cater for new, aspiring and social players within their 3rd XV squad.
History
Harlequin Ladies were founded in 1995 as the ladies team of Harlequin FC. They initially played their home games at Centaurs RFC, Grasshoppers RFC, Old Isleworthians RFC and at Harlequins previous training base at Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields in Roehampton. They won their first league title unbeaten and were subject of a Channel 4 documentary. In 2000, they were promoted to Rugby Football Union for WomenDivision 1. However they were later relegated from top flight. Following the RFUW restructuring the leagues in 2007, Harlequins Ladies were placed in Championship 2 South East. As of 2017, they played their rugby in the National 2 South East league.
Reformation
In 2016, Harlequins announced a partnership with Women's Premiership club Aylesford Bulls Ladies. The agreement stated that Aylesford Bulls would become a part of Harlequins and would wear their colours but initially retain their name and at first split their matches between Aylesford, Kent and Harlequins' Twickenham Stoop. However the elite squad later moved to be permanently based at Surrey Sports Park at the University of Surrey in Guildford, with the 3s maintaining their links with the local area and keeping Old Isleworthians RFC as their training and playing base. In 2017, Harlequins Ladies were awarded a franchise for the new Women's Super League, later renamed Premier 15s. In doing so, Harlequins fully took over Aylesford Bulls Ladies with Harlequins being confirmed for the new league in a full merger and would cease using the Aylesford Bulls name. In July 2019, they changed their name to Harlequins Women.
Ground
Harlequins Ladies 1/2s play their home fixtures either at their training base, the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, or at the Twickenham Stoop, which is situated in Twickenham in south-west London. As of September 2018, Harlequins Ladies 3s will be playing their home fixtures at the brand new facilities at Grasshoppers RFC.
Record attendance
On 10 March 2018, at their league match against local rivals Richmond Women, Harlequins Ladies attracted a record attendance for a British ladies club rugby match of 4,545. The following season, on 30 March 2019, they beat their own record with an attendance of 4,837 for their last regular season league match of the season against Gloucester-Hartpury Women.
