With RAF Northolt, RAF Rugby Union Women's home for sport having other commitments this season, earlier this year Wing Commander Tierney officially announced RAF Benson as their second home.
Head Coach, Sgt Sian Williams said “It’s great to have the support of a busy station like RAF Benson; there is a real buzz about the unit and the team feeds off that. Having a Station Commander who is supportive of sport in general and Women’s sport in particular, and who is a regular participant in competitive sport is a real help.”
In October the RAFRUW development team utilised our facilities to run the season’s first development camp.
Last month Benson proudly hosted the Senior Inter Service squad, ahead of the Inter-Services fixture over the Easter weekend against the Royal Navy at the Cinch, Franklins Gardens stadium in Northampton. The training camp was key to the teams’ victory over the Navy, with the result RAF 36 – Navy 10.
Captain, Flt Lt Lucy Nye said: “We’ve been really grateful for the support from RAF Benson, both ahead of the Navy fixture and this week ahead of our Inter Service title decider”.
This week Benson welcomed back the Squad, who are training in preparation for the Army fixture that will decide the Inter Service championship at the weekend.
Dep Director of Rugby, Wg Cdr Jamie Green said “RAF Benson is a fantastic, both in terms of location and facilities, but more importantly in that operationally focussed “can do” mindset. RAFRUW is really excited to extend our partnership into next season, and we’re hopefully the Station Commander can secure funding to fix the pavilion roof; that will make RAF Benson service-leading in it’s ability to host and support representative level sports teams.
Benson is a fantastic location for the team as it is conveniently located to Oxford Harlequins (England Rugby owned 4G pitch that is often used for matches).
Team Manager, Sgt Ros Mills said “We’ve been incredibly grateful for the support from RAF Benson; Sqn Ldr Tobias Jones in particular has fully supported us and worked miracles to provide everything we need.”
