Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s Rugby Football Club are an English women’s rugby union club based in Hartpury, Gloucestershire. They are the unified women’s team of Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury University R.F.C. They were founded in 2014 and since 2017 they have played in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
In 2023, the team won the Premier 15s by beating Exeter Chiefs Women. By doing so, Gloucester-Hartpury became the first team based outside of London to win. The final was held at Kingsholm Stadium, renamed ‘Queensholm’ for the occasion. The final drew a crowd of over 9,600 spectators, setting a new record and tripling the finals attendance of the previous season.
Mandy Sellers, Operations Director for Cygnet Health Care in the South West said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Harpurty Women’s Rugby Club in Gloucester and believe we have a mutual passion for female empowerment and the role that sport can play in improving people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“Our local Cygnet Alders Clinic supports and cares for women with complex mental health needs and this partnership will provide them with opportunities to get involved and develop active interests to increase their confidence and self-esteem.”
James Forrester, CEO of Gloucester-Hartpury Rugby added: “I am hugely grateful to Cygnet Health for sponsoring the Gloucester Hartpury Team this season. Having met with Mandy and the team several times and it is clear our values and purpose are closely aligned.
“Our success last season combined with the growth in attendance figures, new TV deal with TNT and a home World Cup in 2025, makes this a very exciting time for Gloucester-Hartpury and women’s rugby.
“I know Cygnet Health Care share our excitement and have a genuine desire to help us grow and improve our programme. Their support will help us to achieve our goal of equity in men and women’s programmes as well as success on the pitch. We look forward to a big season ahead.”