This International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we’re recognising a team that are dedicated and motivated in showcasing the positives in women’s sport: the Westcliff Lionesses. Based in South East Essex at Westcliff Rugby Club, the Lionesses are a great example of what can happen when women are given space, support, and belief to thrive in sport.
A Team Built from the Ground Up
The Westcliff Lionesses’ journey began in 2017, when the club launched its first-ever women’s squad. One year later, they stepped onto the league stage for the first time, exceeding their debut season and lifting the NC3 title.
Since then, they’ve hit milestone after milestone:
- 100 competitive games played
- Two promotions
- An undefeated league season
- A national cup final appearance
- And even a moment under the lights at Twickenham
Pretty impressive for a team only nine years young!
What stands out most when speaking to the Lionesses is not just their success, but the strong culture they’ve built as a team along the way. The squad has grown to nearly 50 registered players, which is a testament to how welcoming and empowering the environment has become. Starting as a brand-new team presented them with a unique opportunity, they were able to shape their own identity from day one.
The club explains that:
“We’ve had the fortunate opportunity to shape our own team culture, which has made Westcliff an attractive place for new players to join and what we feel sets us apart.”
Off the pitch, the club’s commitment to investing in the women’s game has been clear. Today, the Lionesses benefit from:
- A dedicated coaching team
- A team physio
- A strength and conditioning coach
- Visible representation across the club, from framed photos to their captain listed proudly on the honours boards
Not only that but they also explain that one of the most rewarding parts of the Lionesses’ journey has been watching players grow in confidence, skill and self-belief.
“To see some of our current players achieving so much with the team and also personally, seeing how they’ve grown from the first training session and having never picked up a rugby ball before, to some now representing Essex at county level.”
These are some great standout achievements represented by the club and I’m sure there will be many more to follow.
Challenges Faced Along the Way
However, like many womens teams across the county, the Lionesses have of course encountered some barriers. Some being travel and lack of suitable facilities but more so around the hardships of being a women’s team. They explain that:
“When we first started, it was surprisingly difficult to find a “Female Fit” rugby kit – things like this seem a small thing, but if you can feel good, you’ll play well. But I think the biggest challenge we face is growing the support at games. Where women’s sport is less attended than men’s at all levels, we find that our fan base and support are relatively small. I believe there is still a perception that women’s sport is not classed as “exciting” or “skilled” as the male equivalent.”
The Lionesses are certainly not alone in feeling this. Despite the progress made in recent years, women’s teams across the country still face outdated misconceptions about the quality and excitement of women’s sport. These perceptions can influence everything from crowd numbers to media coverage, sponsorship, and player pathways.
For the Lionesses, this means that even though they play fast, physical, competitive rugby, they still don’t always receive the same visibility or atmosphere that helps clubs grow as men’s teams do. Building a regular fan base remains a work in progress, and it’s something the team are passionate about challenging. They’re rewriting perceptions every time they step onto the pitch.
Generous sponsorships mean the team can now access coaches to some away games, reducing cost and stress for players. A new kit supplier also ensures women finally have a kit that fits and feels good. As for growing support? They explain that one will take longer, but the team is seeing glimmers of change. Pre-match lunches have boosted attendance, and the success of the Red Roses has inspired more people to recognise the talent within the women’s game.
Their approach is simple:
Play great rugby. Keep showing up. Give people a reason to keep coming back.
A Moment of Recognition: Sports Club of the Year
Winning Sports Club of the Year at the Essex Activity Awards 2025 was a huge moment for the Lionesses. They said:
“It was an amazing feeling for us all to win the Sports Club of the Year award. It was the icing on the cake after winning our league undefeated, raising almost £9k for the IPF charity, and playing at Twickenham. It made all those who had been part of it immensely proud and all those who were new to the team that they had truly joined something special.”
For long-standing players, it was a proud acknowledgment of years of work. For new players, it confirmed they had joined something very special.
The Lionesses have a clear message for anyone feeling nervous about giving rugby a try:
“So many of the team only started playing as adults and had no experience yet have never looked back and regretted that decision. Rugby isn’t determined by size, speed, or age. It’s just about a group of women with a shared interest who want to learn or develop skills and who decided to go against societal norms and try a sport which hasn’t been typically described as a “female sport”. If you’re nervous, then you already have a lot more in common with the rest of the team! You’ve got nothing to lose when coming down and giving rugby a try, but you’ve got a lot to potentially gain. We can’t wait to see you out on the rugby pitch.”
The Lionesses have big ambitions for the future. They want to keep growing, developing and pushing themselves in higher leagues. They hope to see the Westcliff Wildcats, the girls’ team, feeding into the senior squad in the coming years.
And above all, they want to continue doing things the Westcliff way: with integrity, pride and a strong sense of who they are.
