As the Head Coach of Crawley Rugby Football Club's Women's Senior team, how do you feel about the upcoming rugby season and the team's readiness for the first game against East Grinstead at home?

I'm excited for the season to start and to see what we can achieve this season. Last year was a tough season for us. We are proud of what we achieved, but we picked up a lot of nasty injuries, which we are still feeling the effects of now. We lost a lot of key players to long-term injuries in the final couple of games last year, so pre-season was about getting players fit again but also rebuilding a little bit.

We have recruited well and have added some exciting young players to the squad for the season ahead.

Can you share some insights into the team's preparations during the offseason and any specific areas you've focused on to improve performance?

Our aim over the summer, as always, was to get fitter than we were last year, but this was more important than ever this pre-season as we hoped it would reduce our injuries. We also built on our strengths from last season and focused on making ourselves better in small areas in attack and defence.

Last season, the team showed significant progress. What are your expectations and goals for this season, and how do they differ from the previous year?

Last year was our first season in NC2, so it was always about finding our feet. We have had a year's experience in the league now, so we know what we can expect from certain teams.

We have an ambitious and very competitive group of players who only ever want to win, which of course is our aim each week, but as the coach and looking at the bigger picture, we want to build on last season's performance in the league and improve our league position. I think this year's league is going to be a lot tougher.

Are there any standout players or newcomers to the squad that you believe will have a significant impact on the team's success this season?

As I said earlier, we have had to recruit and rebuild the team in certain areas, and we have recruited some young, talented players. I think they will have very bright futures in rugby. We just need to slowly build their confidence and give them experience.

I don’t think you can single out individual people; if we are going to achieve what we want to achieve this season, it’s going to take a whole squad effort, and we can't rely on individuals. Of course, having players with the pace we have in our team, for example, is always going to have a positive impact, but we have 5–6 players like that. On the flip side, those players won’t have the impact they can have if we don’t have the players in the forwards with the skills and high work rate who are going to win us clean balls at the breakdown and set pieces. Luckily, we also have a group of forwards who will do that for us.

In terms of playing style and tactics, have there been any strategic changes or adaptations in the lead-up to this season?

I don’t think it’s a secret how we like to play, and although we will always try to play to our strengths, I don’t think you can be one-dimensional in how you play. I can assure you we will not be playing the same way on Sunday at home in East Grinstead in the heat as when we travel to the beach to play Seaford in December. We have to be able to adapt, and although we want to play pretty rugby, sometimes you have to know how to win the ugly way! A massive thing for us as coaches is to get the players to do the decision-making on the pitch. Sometimes that means we find out things the hard way, but it also means we learn.

How do you plan to maintain team morale and motivation throughout the season, especially during challenging moments or away games?

Without me pointing them out, some games this season, I think, will motivate the players enough without me having to do or say much.

But overall, I think it’s about people feeling like they are achieving something, whether that be as a team winning games or improving things as a team or individually in training or games.

We will have some tough times this season for sure like we have in past seasons, but it’s about taking the rough with the smooth. We have been to some high places as a squad, winning NC3, reaching the cup final, and winning games when we are the underdog, but we have also had some tough times, and it’s about sticking together, learning from them, and using them to be better in the future.

I think we also have to remember two things: first, why do we play rugby? Because we enjoy it. Yes,  it’s more enjoyable when we do, but if we come off the pitch with a smile on our faces, then that’s the main thing. Secondly, we need to remember how far we have come in the three years we have been in the league.

Could you provide insights into your coaching philosophy and how it influences your approach to leading the team this season?

I think my philosophy is fairly simple.

Control the controllable: worry less about things we can’t control and make sure we control the things we do have control over.

Work hard, especially off the ball. If you work hard on the ball, it makes everyone's game easier. It may be something simple, like working hard to get back on your feet after a tackle. The more players we have on their feet in defence, the easier it is for your teammates and the harder it is for the defence to find holes to attack. I like the players to also ask themselves if they are effective in the game. If the answer is no, then what can they do to affect the game? It may be something as simple as a running line or even a winger staying out wide to keep the opposition outside and create space.

Look after the ball—we have a French saying in the team that translates to keep hold of the ball. If we have the ball, we are in control, and the opposition can’t score. I want us to take care of it and not give it away cheaply. If we are giving it away through kicking, then we need to have a reason to do it, i.e., for territory or to relieve pressure.

Play without fear. I would rather players express themselves than worry about making a mistake.

And most importantly, play with enjoyment!

What role do you see team cohesion and unity playing in the team's success, and how do you foster a strong sense of camaraderie among the players?

Cohesion and unity are massive in any team sport. You will never achieve anything as a team if you are not united and all pulling in the same direction. We like to make sure everyone feels valued, and the team is not about individuals or small groups; it’s about everyone, and everyone is a valued part of the squad. Even those who are injured and on the sidelines are a huge part of our team and our success! I think it’s really important that we are a pretty close-knit group. Like in any environment, not everyone is going to be best friends with everyone, but the good thing we have is that everyone gets along, and the really important thing is that when we come together to train or play, everyone wants the same outcome. It’s about learning to support each other on and off the field when things are not going our way. The tighter you are as a group, the easier the hard times become. We are lucky to have a good group that is united on and off the pitch.

In light of your coaching experience, what advice would you offer to young and aspiring female rugby players looking to join the senior team?

Come down and try it out. I think women’s sport is growing massively at the moment, which is positive. We have a really exciting future ahead with the Crawley ladies, and it’s something special to be part of. So many of our players started from scratch, having never played before, and have become key players for our team. There is no limit to how young girls can play rugby, and the pathway to the top of the game is only getting stronger.

Anyone wanting to come down and give it a try should get in contact and come down. If you are unsure whether it’s for you, there is only one way to find out:

As we look ahead to the fixtures and competitions this season, are there any particular matchups or challenges you anticipate and are preparing for?

As I said previously, I think this year's league is going to be tough, with no easy games, but one that I think we can do very well in. It’s a much more local league than last year with the slight restructure, and the opportunity for a "local derby" will come a lot more often, which we look forward to. I think several teams will fancy themselves to win the league this season, and it will be a much tighter league. I can’t see one team that stands out as the hot favourite. Just to name a few, I think Worthing, Seaford, Beccehamians, and Jersey will all fancy themselves, and of course, East Grinstead, with their experience, will no doubt be expecting to compete at the top of the league, as they should.

For us, we want to improve on last year and be in and around the top group when the season ends, and it would be nice to have a cup run along the way. I would love to get to the Sussex Cup final again to correct last year's final, but we will take one game at a time. I think it’s important that we don’t put too much unnecessary pressure on ourselves, but as a team, we will have our own goals and targets that we will keep to ourselves.

How important is community support for the women's senior team, and what message would you like to convey to the dedicated fans and supporters of Crawley RFC?

The support is massive for us; we want people to come down and cheer the ladies on and be part of the journey. It sounds silly, but it does make a difference when you have a packed balcony cheering every little bit of the action. We want people to stick with us on the bad days and be part of it on the good days. The ladies appreciate the positive support! The support over the last two seasons has been amazing, both home and away, and we hope it continues into this season. Please keep coming down and supporting; it does help, and we promise to try and entertain each week and make the club proud!

Finally, could you reflect on your journey as head coach and share any personal aspirations or milestones you hope to achieve with the team in the near future?

It’s been an awesome few years coaching and being part of the Crawley ladies. When you look back at what we have achieved in such a short space of time, it is incredible. Yes, there have been some bad days, which we have learned from, but there have been so many days we can be proud of.

I have learned a lot over the last 3 years or so working with the ladies and have been lucky to work with both Nina and Dee, who have been massively supportive. Their experience in the ladies' game has been key to what we as a coaching team have achieved. We have had ups and downs, and it hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but the job has been made a lot easier by having a great coaching team and a group of players who want to learn, get better, and push themselves to the next level.

I just want us to keep moving forward and improving week in and week out, and I want to create a team that the members of the club and the people of Crawley can be proud of. I want to keep growing the squad and create a team that the younger girls who want to play rugby in Crawley can aspire to be part of. I want to build a team that people want to be part of and enjoy playing rugby with. Of course, I want to win games of rugby in the process, but if I can leave an established Crawley ladies team that can go on to achieve great things in the seasons to come, then I will be happy.

See you all on Sunday!