Glasgow Warriors launched a women’s team for the very first time, after it was confirmed that a Glasgow Warriors squad will compete in the newly-expanded Celtic Challenge for the 2023/24 season.
The Glasgow team play their home matches at Scotstoun and wear the distinctive black kit, with the squad’s first-ever fixture seeing the Warriors take on their cross-country counterparts at Hive Stadium on Saturday 30 December 2023.
Former Scotland front-rower Lindsey Smith has been appointed as Head Coach of Glasgow Warriors for the upcoming Celtic Challenge, as preparations continue for the club’s return to action.
“I’m really proud to be taking charge of this group, and representing Glasgow Warriors,” Smith told glasgowwarriors.org.
“To have the opportunity to be involved in coaching our first-ever women’s squad last season was something I’ll never forget, and to have the chance to step up to the Head Coach role is a massive honour. It’s a really exciting chance to build the programme here at Scotstoun and I can’t wait to get started.
“Last year taught me a lot about not only my own coaching, but also being a part of a multi-discipline team – from your assistants, right the way through to the backroom team. I absolutely love the back-to-back game week scenario that a competition like the Celtic Challenge provides, and we learned a lot about ourselves in terms of the levels of focus and intensity that competing at this level requires.
“Working with the Regional Training Centre definitely provides me with a clear understanding of the players within the area, which allows me to hit the ground running and help to build sessions and an environment in which the players will thrive and develop. Ultimately, our job as coaches is to develop these players, and help them take the next step as they look to push towards national honours.
“The Celtic Challenge has been huge for us, because it gives these young players a tangible next step – they can see the target in their eye-line, and that’s massive. Young players I’ve worked with can see that representing Glasgow Warriors is an achievable goal, and you can tell how much they want to be a part of this competition.
“Success for me looks like players having the ability to compete consistently at this level, and being ready and confident in their ability to perform. There’s a big educational piece around making these players ready to step up, so having the chance to be challenged against squads from Ireland and Wales packed with capped internationals will be invaluable for them.
“I’m excited to get started, and help to write the next chapter in this team’s history for Glasgow Warriors.”
Twitter: @GlasgowWarriors
Instagram: @GlasgowWarriors
Website: https://glasgowwarriors.org/