Player Pathway Club Profile: St Mary's Old Boys RFC Ladies

St Mary’s are located on the North side of Bristol in Almondsbury running two senior women’s teams with over 50 registered players.

The club offers rugby for all ages and ability with their first team currently playing in National Championship One South West.

Bristol Bears Women’s Kyara Martin and Jo Smith are former players of St Mary’s and the club currently have Esme Bird and Sammy Knighton in their ranks, who have both previously represented the Bristol. 

Phoebe Beer, who was a member of the Bears’ 2019/20 squad had also donned the green and black prior to her time at Shaftesbury Park.

SMOB Ladies Head Coach, Rich Hynes said: “It’s a huge step forward for the club and our ambitions to promote women’s rugby at St Mary’s.

“The Player Pathway programme aligns perfectly with our vision to create an environment where players feel valued and invested in to help them become the best they can be.

“We hope that as a result of becoming a part of the Player Pathway that new, ambitious and talented players will want to come and join the club."

“It’s a club where they can progress their skills and understanding of the game, and hopefully achieve their dream of representing Bristol Bears Women.

“We’re a club that prides ourselves in sharing the same values as the Bears in regard to diversity, inclusivity and opportunity, and ultimately we share the same goal in wanting to inspire our community.

“In order to achieve a dream of playing at elite level, a pathway which sets out goals for players to achieve on their journey is hugely valuable.

“The jump from grassroots to Allianz Premier 15s is vast and not every player will be able to make it. Progression, identifiable targets and goal setting are a vital part of the pathway and we are hugely excited to play a significant role in this.”

For more information on the women’s and girls’ rugby available at St Mary’s click here.