This season sees the new RFU ACE Girls League launch, with ten teams competing throughout the season.
Unlike the boys equivalent, the Girls league will not conclude in December, instead running through to the end of the season, with all ten in one league table rather than being split into conferences.
The ten sides are spread around the country, with many of the names familiar to followers of the ACE Boys League. Bishop Burton College are the most northerly side in the competition, the Yorkshire side’s closest competitors will be Loughborough College, with City of Oxford College also from the Midlands, and Henley College from Oxfordshire.
The South West has plenty of teams in the competitions, Hartpury College from Gloucestershire, SGS College from Bristol, and Exeter College from Devon. Meanwhile Hertfordshire’s Oaklands College, and the south coast’s Newman College and Worthing College all represent the South East.
It should be a superb competition, one that ought to help promote real growth in the women’s game and school and college level, and it all begins this Wednesday.
ACE Girls League Round 1 Fixtures: Wednesday 18th September
City of Oxford College v Worthing College
Exeter College v Bishop Burton College
Loughborough College v Newman College
Oaklands College v Henley College
SGS College v Hartpury College
Bishop Burton College begin their campaign with their longest trip of the campaign, away to Exeter College. Both sides have a strong rugby history and will be eager for a big start.
One of three sides competing that do not compete in the Boys’ equivalent, Loughborough College kick off their campaign at home against Newman College. Loughborough College have long been one of the best girls sides around, while Newman College’s rapid development of their girls programme has been outstanding, with more and more players and teams committed each year. As Rosslyn Park 7s winners, they know a thing or two about competing too.
Another side without an equivalent in the other league are Worthing College, another with a very strong women’s programme. They begin their campaign away at City of Oxford College, which should be a fantastic game with which to kick off the season.
The final side that is only competing in the Girls’ competition are Henley College, their campaign starts on the road as well, heading to Oaklands College. Both have had some fantastic teams over the years and will be keen to kick off on the right foot.
Hartpury College are giants of the schools and colleges game, dominant at the Howden Rosslyn Park National School 7s and a side that it takes something very special to get the better of. They start away from home against SGS College, who will feel more than capable of being that something special in this opening fixture, it should be a cracker.
Further Fixtures
Wednesday 2nd October
Bishop Burton College v Worthing College
Newman College v Hartpury College
Oaklands College v Exeter College
SGS College v City of Oxford College
Henley College v Loughborough College
Wednesday 16th October
City of Oxford College v Exeter College
Hartpury College v Bishop Burton College
Loughborough College v Oaklands College
Henley College v SGS College
Worthing College v Newman College
Wednesday 23rd October
Bishop Burton College v Henley College
Exeter College v Worthing College
Hartpury College v City of Oxford College
Loughborough College v SGS College
Newman College v Oaklands College
Wednesday 13th November
City of Oxford College v Bishop Burton College
Henley College v Newman College
Loughborough College v Worthing College
Oaklands College v Hartpury College
SGS College v Exeter College
Wednesday 4th December
Bishop Burton College v SGS College
City of Oxford College v Oaklands College
Hartpury College v Loughborough College
Newman College v Exeter College
Worthing College v Henley College
Wednesday 15th January
Exeter College v Loughborough College
Hartpury College v Henley College
Newman College v City of Oxford College
Oaklands College v Bishop Burton College
Worthing College v SGS College
Wednesday 29th January
Exeter College v Hartpury College
Henley College v City of Oxford College
Loughborough College v Bishop Burton College
SGS College v Newman College
Worthing College v Oaklands College
Wednesday 26th February
Bishop Burton College v Newman College
City of Oxford College v Loughborough College
Hartpury College v Worthing College
Henley College v Exeter College
SGS College v Oaklands College