It’s less than two years since a group of Cupar-based ladies calling themselves the Howe Harlequins met casually to get fit through rugby.
Yet in that relatively short time, the nucleus of players who trained socially has developed into one of Scotland’s finest women’s rugby sides.
Coaches Gavin Anderson and Craig Manson were instrumental in helping the group of women get fit, with a rugby ball occasionally involved.
The coaching team have since expanded to include ex-England international front row player Mandy Palmer-Norrie and Howe Knight veteran Ian Cole.
Now the Harlequins are preparing to take on Glasgow University in the final of the BT Women’s Bowl, which takes place at Murrayfield in Edinburgh today.
“At first we set up a rugby fit session which was initially aimed at family members who wanted to learn about rugby, “ coach Manson told The Courier as the Harlequins went through their final training session at Duffus Park in Cupar.
“The Howe of Fife Rugby Club has a very good mini and youth section. But we had a lot of parents standing at the side of the pitch each week who wanted to know more about rugby. Gavin and I said ‘let’s put on a rugby fit session for mums and dads so that they can go home and throw the ball about with their kids.
“We had six or seven women turn up at our first session in July 2014 and its popularity grew from there, developing into a competitive full team that train together twice a week and aim to become a formidable force in the women’s game.”
The Howe of Fife Rugby Club is a well-established force in Scottish rugby with a number of youth and senior sides.
From David Rollo who won 40 caps for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions, to more recent Scotland caps Peter Horne and Chris Fusaro, the Howe has seen an impressive number of youngsters go on to make a name for themselves at the highest level, and more generally, retain a lifelong love for the sport.
Yet until the formation of the Harlequins, they didn’t have a women’s team, meaning young girls would be cut loose from the club once they had out-grown the thriving mini section.
“There was clearly an appetite there to begin with, but it is quite amazing how it’s developed in such a short time,” added Craig.
“Among the eight initial members were captain and vice-captain Clare Fox and Katie Williams, Karen Strachan and Nicola Howat, who is now part of the Scotland Women under-20 set up.
“Katie and Nicola were both from the successful Bell Baxter High School youth setup so had played rugby before, but Clare and Karen were completely new to the game. Unfortunately due to injury, Clare won’t be running out with the side on Saturday but Katie has stepped up.
Katie said: “Reaching the final is an unexpected but phenomenal achievement for myself and the team. I feel that the level of commitment put in by all of the players and coaches is what has got us this far.
“It would mean the world for me to return back to Howe turf carrying the bowl, as we have all definitely earned it.
“Our season has been a massive learning curve for everyone, with improvement every game. It took us a while to find our feet, but as soon as we gelled together as a team, the only way was up! I can’t wait for the final, my ambitions are very high, I’m confident we can further our story, hopefully with a fairytale ending.”