Bristol Bears tackle the top spot

The women’s rugby team is having a great season so far, with a new coach, a new training ground and a meteoric rise in the league table.

Photographs: Julian Preece, Instagram @julianpreecephotography

Edition 28 28th January, 2022

Julian Preece

In mid-January, the Bristol Bears women’s rugby team was second in the league table behind Saracens in the women’s premiership. This season, they’ve beaten reigning champions Harlequins on their own turf. It’s a meteoric rise for the team who finished eighth last season.

It might be new coach Dave Ward or the team’s move to a high performance centre in Abbots Leigh shared with the men’s team, but either way the club is putting their best foot forward.

This photo essay shows a recent game against Gloucester-Hartpury in Shaftesbury Park in Frenchay, the Bears’ stomping ground, which ended in a 14-36 loss.

Amber Reed leads the team onto the pitch. Amber co-captains the Bears and is entering her 14th season. She has also played for England no fewer than 58 times.

Julian Preece
Instagram @julianpreecephotography

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