Medway Rugby Football Club is proud to announce a groundbreaking milestone in its 94-year history with the launch of a pilot programme offering a limited number of player contracts to members of the Women’s 1XV. This momentous step marks the first time female players at the club have been offered contractual agreements, reflecting the club’s commitment to the growth and future of the women’s game.
As part of this pilot, some players within the Women’s Programme have been contracted and will receive match fees, an initiative that demonstrates Medway RFC’s belief in the rising trajectory of women’s rugby and the expanding commercial opportunities within the sport. This investment underscores the club’s ambition to nurture talent, strengthen competitive performance, and champion the continued professionalisation of the women’s game.

“For the last 4 seasons, Specsavers Medway stores have sponsored Medway Rugby Club Women’s and Girls teams. Craig Holland, Retail Director at Specsavers Medway shares; We are really proud of the partnership we have with Medway Rugby Club and that we can continue to support them working towards achieving their growth ambitions as a team within our community."

A further objective of this pilot is to bring our Women’s Programme into closer alignment with the provisions already in place for our Mens 1XV. By reinforcing consistency and equity across the club, Medway RFC aims grow a unified, inclusive, and high-performance culture for all athletes.
“This is more than a milestone; it’s a vision for the future. By investing in our women’s programme, we’re not just supporting today’s players; we’re laying the foundation for generations to come. With the largest women and girls section in England, Medway RFC is proud to lead the way in creating an environment where enjoyment comes first, talent thrives, ambition is rewarded, and equality is the norm. We believe this step will inspire others across the rugby community” - Tracy Bullock MRFC Club Chairwoman

Medway RFC looks forward to evaluating the impact of this pilot and exploring further opportunities to support the women’s game as it continues to grow in profile, participation, and performance.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/trio-make-history-in-club-first-333623/