Okehampton Ladies make history with promotion and national final appearance

Okehampton Rugby Football Club (RFC) Ladies have had an incredible season again, achieving back-to-back promotions and reaching the final of a national plate competition, which will be played in Worcester on 17 May.

ABOVE: Head coach Tom Powell has led Okehampton RFC Ladies to back-to-back promotions and a national final

Mr Powell, who has been Head Coach for four years, said: “This is now my 4th year as Head Coach of the Okehampton ladies team, growing the group from an initial 10 to 40+ active players today.”

He added: “In addition to players we have some very dedicated volunteers in Di & Mitch Clarke, Johnny King, Ian Langbridge and Steve Alford. We are also very lucky to have former Saracens and Exeter Chiefs Women's player, Garnet Mackinder, in a player/coach role. The women's section has also attracted a large and loyal following of family, friends and other players within the club, who regularly cheer us on, both home and away.”

Reflecting on his coaching journey, Mr Powell said: “I initially joined the group informally to help out the then head coach, Gaz Evans, with some backs coaching. When Gaz's career took him away from the club I took over as head coach at the ladies' request. Previous to that I had been coaching in the junior section (and continue to do so) and have several years playing experience in the men's section.”

“Being honest, it was never my intention to seek out opportunities specifically in women's rugby,” he said.

“I simply love playing and coaching the game at Okehampton and am happy to share my experience with any team which will have me.”

“I believe rugby is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone, I love being part of a team, and as I'm sure most people would, I always want my team to do well.”

Mr Powell has recently been appointed as Head Coach of Devon Women’s Rugby. 

He said: “Due to the enjoyment and success I've experienced at Okehampton with the women's group I recently applied for and was appointed as head coach of Devon Women's rugby. I am now working with ladies from across Devon preparing them for the County Championships which begin in mid May - fingers crossed this goes well!”

On the wider growth of the women’s game, he added: “The growth in women's rugby on the whole has been phenomenal. Both at Okehampton and across Devon we are seeing new players and teams pop up regularly with the majority of clubs now running women's and girls rugby teams in some form.”

“With the women's world cup scheduled for this summer and the Red Roses tipped to do well I see nothing but continued rapid growth in the women's game.”

He continued: “At Okehampton, it has been particularly pleasing to see a number of the women I coach now taking up formal and informal coaching opportunities within the junior section.”

Reflecting on the team’s recent progress, Mr Powell said: “After gaining promotion last year our primary goal for the season was to solidify our place within the NC2 league. Having previously competed in a league with more teams, we decided to increase our number of fixtures for the year by entering the Papa John's Junior Cup competition.”

The team faced an early challenge against Devonport, as Mr Powell explained: “For our first two competitive games we faced Devonport; firstly away, in the league, then the following week at home in the cup. The Devonport girls really gave us a much needed wake up call on what stepping up a level was all about!”

He said: “Especially in the first game, the strong Devonport team buoyed by some Royal Navy regulars really demonstrated the physicality needed to compete in this league was significantly higher than anything we had seen previously, and we were well beaten that day 51-10.”

Despite an improved performance, Okehampton lost the second match 14-37. 

“This result knocked us out of the cup competition meaning we would now compete for the plate,” he said.

Following these setbacks, the team rallied. 

Mr Powell said: “Following these two initial losses the team really pulled together and hasn't looked back since, going undefeated for the rest of the season!”

He added: “On the pitch, this added strength in depth has translated into results and we've been able to comfortably overcome most of the other teams in the league, many of whom have been established at this level for some time.”

Highlighting key moments, he said: “For me personally, it was particularly pleasing to see the ladies defeat Devonport at home in a very competitive reverse league fixture and, more broadly, to see the team becoming increasingly more comfortable executing our expansive style of play.”

“We have racked up some truly impressive scorelines over the course of the season, reaching 100 points twice, and averaging just shy of 60 points scored per game.”

Looking ahead, Mr Powell said: “Having secured back to back promotions, the ladies and the wider club are now very much looking forward to the last fixture of the season which sees us competing in the Papa John's Junior Plate final at Sixways Stadium in Worcester on 17 May.”

He added: “We think this is the first time Okehampton Rugby Club has competed in a final for a national prize!”

Turning to next season, he said: “The goals for the group will be similar; to solidify our place within the NC1 league and to improve our overall game.”

“I know the team are especially looking forward to having a local derby to compete in with Crediton, a team who we have supported for the last few seasons.”

Okehampton RFC Ladies are welcoming new players. 

Mr Powell said: “We are always looking to strengthen our squad and welcome all new players (17+) of any ability. With the season now pretty much over it would be best to watch our social media channels for information on preseason sessions.”