Going up… first XV captain Jess Wray on the belief, drive and unity behind the realisation of an ambition for Lisburn Women’s rugby as they prepare for their first season in the Ulster Premiership

Ulster A champions

AMID the Women’s Rugby World Cup feelgood factor reverberating around the sport, Lisburn Women are experiencing a major lift of their own as they prepare for their first season in the Ulster Premiership after promotion from Championship A.

The move up to the top tier in Ulster women’s club rugby is a timely one in tandem with developments off the field with new changing facilities for the women’s side and a gym being added to a clubhouse extension and the appointment of two female coaches, Sarah ‘Jacko’ Bowman (strength and conditioning) and Khole ‘Bear’ Millar (contact and skill), working alongside Head Coach John Kennedy and assistant David Huggan .

Lisburn Women’s first XV captain Jess Wray is eagerly anticipating leading the side at the top level in Ulster as the realisation of a long-held ambition by the club.

Jess insisted: “Stepping to the Premiership is an incredible opportunity, not just for me as captain, but for every player who’s poured themselves into this journey.

“We’ve battled through many seasons and tough fixtures, but our belief, drive and unity carried us through.

“The Premiership brings new challenges and higher intensity, but we welcome that – it’s where we’ve always wanted to be. I’m proud of the team, the club and our supporters that have got us to where we are.”

Head coach, John Kennedy, creditted by his players as the driving force behind all they have achieved, echoed his captain’s sentiments.

John said: “It’s an incredible honour to be leading Lisburn Women’s Rugby into an historic season for the squad and club as a whole, competing in the Premiership for the first time.

“The squad trained incredibly well last year in what was a very good season in 2024/25 and it’s testament to the work of the coaches of the past that have built the squad and kept it together over the years to earn the opportunity to play rugby in the top tier in Ulster.

“With the addition of two female coaches in the panel and the imminent opening of the new clubhouse extension, the squad and club as a whole is very excited over the opportunity to compete against the very best in the game in Ulster for Phase 1 as we continue to work towards building a strong and sustainable women’s programme in Lisburn.”