Fed member discusses British Policing Rugby success

26 August 2024

A Northamptonshire Police Federation member has told how proud she is to see the women’s British Police Rugby team grow over recent years.

A former British Police Rugby player, Detective Inspector Cheryl Thompson is now the director of rugby for the women’s national rugby club.

She is also one of four coaches overseeing training and matches for first and second teams, having enjoyed a successful career at Premiership side Saracens.

“It’s a great way for me still to be involved. I am very proud of my playing career, but I knew that wasn’t the end for me in the sport,” said Cheryl, who spoke about her decision to take on her current role in 2019.

Detective Inspector Cheryl Thompson.

“Representing the police was always a huge honour when I played, and I am so glad I can still do that now. I coach both the first and second teams and I’ve loved doing my bit in helping them develop.”

Under Cheryl’s directorship, the second team has become fully established, which has generated a competitive platform for positions in the first team.

She credits the enthusiasm and interest around the women’s teams as playing a significant part in their progress, revealing that annual trials are attended by hundreds of police officers and staff year in, year out.

Trialists

“Unfortunately, we do have to let a number of trialists down each year, but that’s meant standards are kept really competitive,” she continued.

Cheryl’s influence has also seen the teams gain regular sponsorship, build relationships with local communities, and occasionally welcome guest coaches from Premiership clubs.

Matches will generally take on a whole, 15-a-side rugby union format, taking place four or five times a year.

Opponents typically come in the shape of other police forces and emergency services, as well as other public institutions such as the army and civil service. They have also travelled the world to play in fixtures, including tours to Switzerland and Barcelona in 2018, Hong Kong in 2019, and France and Dubai in 2023.

It was a game in the UK that provided the highlight of Cheryl’s time at the helm of British Police Rugby, however.

“Beating the army at their home ground in Aldershot was pretty epic, I must admit,” she said. “It was a very tough game, and the players on the day gave an excellent account of themselves in getting that win.”

Coaching session

Cheryl, who played as a full-back, added that the teams’ next tour will be to South America in 2025 to play the Argentine Federal Police, subject to confirmation.

“As of late, we have also been going into schools to do coaching sessions with children. It’s been great to see some of our girls get stuck into this – they are real career-driven women but are just as passionate about their rugby,” added Cheryl.

“I think it’s so important that we are doing this as we are breaking down barriers by proving to young girls that there’s just as much of a place for them in this sport as there is for boys and men.”

The next fixture for British Policing Rugby’s women’s first team is against the French police on Wednesday, 18 September, as they look to avenge their defeat at the hands of the same opponent on tour in Bon-Encontre in Southwestern France last year. The game is set to be played at Sandy Park, the home of Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs.

The women’s second team will face the Royal Air Force (RAF) earlier in the same day, also in Devon at the Ashbury Hotel in Okehampton.