A local rugby club is seeking new players to join its seniors (18+) women's team.

Thamesians RFC's women's team do strength and conditioning sessions from 7pm on Tuesdays at St Mary's University's gym, and training from 7pm - 8.30pm on Wednesdays at Richmond Upon Thames School.

It also plays matches against other teams on Sunday afternoons at St Mary's University, which is within a 10-minute walk of the Thamesians clubhouse on Twickenham Green.

This Sunday (5 October), Thamesians' women's team will play Wasps Women at Saint Mary's University, and all are welcome to watch.

In the last two years the women's team has finished second in NC1, and this year hope is targeting top spot and promotion. This places them as the second ranking team in the borough behind Richmond RFC.

Speaking about the team, Thamesians' Club president, Jonathon Dunn, told Nub News: "The women's team is vibrant, social, extremely welcoming, and friendly. Most of all they enjoy working hard together at the sport they all love to play.

"The team welcomes all abilities from complete beginners to experienced players, so I would encourage anyone interested to dust off their boots and come and join in."

He also highlighted the importance of women playing rugby following England's recent win in the women's rugby world cup at Twickenham, saying: "I think rugby is so important for women's physical and mental health and the recent world cup proves that.

"Rugby is such an inclusive and welcoming sport – it really is a great outlet. Our local MP Munira Wilson highlighted the importance of women's sport in a parliamentary debate after the success of the Lionesses and quoted from one of the Thamesians women.

 "Many of the local clubs do not have numbers to support a senior team, but Thamesians is bucking this trend and playing in league NC1. Only Richmond Women play at a higher level within the borough. Anyone interested in training, playing, or just watching would be very welcome."

England's Red Roses won the women's rugby World Cup final in Twickenham last week (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

Anyone interested in signing up to Thaesians' women's team can find out how to via its Instagram page. You can also find out more about the club here.

One of the team's members added: "I'm 25 years old and have been playing rugby since I was 19. I'm 6ft1 and 85kg, and for the first 19 years of my life I hated the way I looked, felt, and I had no confidence and no motivation.

"I found rugby as a way of making some new friends and enjoying a run around while doing so. To say it changed my life is an understatement.

"Women's sport is special, because it brings a group of people who face similar challenges in day-to-day life together, and provides a safe space, a place of encouragement and love, and lights a fire within people who didn't realise they had it.

"Being around women who were praised for having different body types has skyrocketed my confidence. I feel empowered in my life outside of sport, knowing the things I've accomplished and my worth.

"I've also made a special group of friends for life, some incredible memories (minus a few injuries), and I cannot express how grateful I am for it."

In 1962, Thamesians RFC was formed by a few school leavers from Thames Valley Grammar School (TVGS), with the help of Phil Eldridge, a teacher at TVGS, who enlisted some boys at the school to play twice every Saturday.

By the late sixties two XV'2 was playing and the school's high standing in county rugby was reflected in the strengthening fixtures list and excellent playing record of O.T.R.F.C., a club changing at one venue, playing at another and drinking at a third.

By the early seventies, the club was putting out three sides and Easter Tour was a well established tradition, regular success in Sevens tournaments was achieved and Old Thamesians gained recognition for more than just the fact that they were the only rugby club in the county with a lady Hon. Sec. - Gillian Twydell.

In 1976 the club made up for several near misses trying to reach the Middlesex Sevens Finals by becoming the first southern winners of the National Old Boys Sevens Tournament, bringing home the title and the magnificent trophy from Birmingham.

When Thames Valley Grammar School was transformed into a girl's secondary school in the late seventies the club continued as an open club fielding strong men's teams, but it was not until 2018 that a women's team was formed, since which time it has gone from strength to strength.

The club moved to Twickenham Golf Course in 1982 and remained there until it moved to the DERA Club at the start of the 91/92 season. After a short stay there, Thamesians moved in 1993 to our present clubhouse, The Pavilion on Twickenham Green.