Women’s Army side looking to build

Army Women’s Rugby League Head Coach, Warrant Officer Class Two Woz Broadley is looking to build on last season’s success.

Broadley has many plans for the Army rugby team, he has implemented a five-year plan and is in talks with officials to enter the Women’s Super League.

He is confident and ready for the 2020 Challenge Cup, after their Shield win in 2019 over Women’s Super League team York City Knights.

Broadley has organised a week’s training camp, where all soldiers will be put through their paces in a typical military training style.

He prides himself on the Army’s reputation for physical fitness and robustness, the ladies are expected to be at the top of their fitness for not only their job roles but also military sport.

The ladies of ARLW, like the majority of professional female athletes, have a ‘day job’ and will have to continue to juggle the rigours of deployments, exercises and trade training alongside their on-field commitments.

Broadley is well aware of the red tape to achieve these goals for the women’s team, but he remains optimistic and is determined to push the ARLW to its full potential.

The Army team also received the fantastic news from the RFL, that two of their players, Sergeant Carrie Roberts of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Gunner Abbie Eatock of the Royal Artillery, were selected for the England National Women’s Performance Programme.

These selections prove ARLW’s progression and that it’s direction on course for our service women. All three services; the Army, Navy and the Royal Air force play against each other in an inter-services cup.

From the performances seen during the competition games, individuals are invited to trial for the UKAFRL (United Kingdom Armed Forces Rugby League Team).

If successful in selection, they go on the play teams such as the Police and UK Teachers. Service women have played or are still playing in teams across the WSL to include Leeds Rhinos, Warrington, St Helens and York City Knights.

Super League teams are on a constant look out for fresh and up and coming players, the Army being the fittest are an ideal pool of youth and excellent fitness levels.