2023 Great Britain Training Squads Announced

Put simply 2023 is the biggest year in Great Britain Tag Rugby’s history.

The first World Cup since 2018, taking place closer to home than ever before is the prize that the programme has its eyes firmly focussed on. Now consisting of eight categories this is the biggest and best equipped GB programme that will have ever competed on the biggest stage in Tag Rugby.

The progression to eight categories comes after the addition of a Women’s 35s team, coached by Tracey Smith and Emma Becker, both of whom have extensive experience playing for the national sides. “10 years on from the first GB Women’s team we had a big task to select a brand new Women’s 35s team less than five months out from the World Cup. We are super excited to see what the group of women we have put together can achieve! With a combination of eligible players moving up from other GB teams, previous internationals coming back into the mix and newcomers to the program we have an immense amount of tag experience between us. Now the hard work begins!” surmised Tracey. The new Women’s 35s team means the programme returns to a position of gender balance after the formation of the Men’s 40s team in 2022.

The Men’s 40s themselves have built on an exciting debut year to be able to pick their strongest squad yet, bolstered by the return of Head Coach Matt Picknett to the fold. The Men’s programme is straining at the bit to get back on the pitch, as noted by Men’s Open Head Coach, James Baron: “It was great to see such a big turnout at trials this year. We’re really excited about the squad we’ve picked, and the season ahead. I’m looking forward to ripping in with the lads, and putting our best foot forward.”

The percentage of regional representation within the Great Britain programme has continued its annual increase again this year following trials at the UK Tag Nationals Regional Tournaments held in Oxford and Manchester. This was recognised by Mixed Seniors Head Coach Andrew Davis who said: “This is my tenth year within the GB programme, and the exceptionally high quality of trialists ensured these were by far the hardest selection dilemmas I have faced. This is highlighted by the growth within the regions and as such Mixed Seniors consists of numerous players based outside London. Any year playing international tag is exciting but a World Cup year is extra special. I am very much looking forward to working with the squad, our leadership group and coaching staff to achieve our ultimate goal of World Cup glory!”

Before the World Cup the teams will get stuck into regular training at Regent’s Park in London with the British & Irish Cup taking place in Chiswick on Saturday 24th June their final opportunity for competitive action in the GB jersey before they head to Limerick and the World Cup in August.

Both the British & Irish Cup and the Tag World Cup will be open for on-site spectators as well as being streamed across GBTR and Try Tag Rugby social media for those unable to be there in person. Your national teams will need all the support the tag community can provide them in their campaign for on-pitch glory. Off the field GBTR is still seeking sponsorship to help the players with the sacrifices they make to represent their country at the highest level of the sport. GBTR’s sponsorship brochure is available here and we would encourage all members of the Tag community to share it far and wide in the search for financial support.

Will Shepherd, Great Britain Programme Director says: “I would like to thank the unprecedented number of players that expressed an interest in the Great Britain programme this year. The competition for places was higher than ever before and there is certainly no shame in missing out. The selected players represented the very best of Tag Rugby within the UK and I know this will only be amplified as they return to the training pitch.

“The sense of a programme that is building to greatness year on year is palpable when you speak to any of the coaches or players. It’s an incredibly exciting year to be involved with the national sides and one that an immense amount of planning and preparation has gone into. I am targeting four medals from our eight teams at the World Cup, including our first ever Gold Medal. The opportunity to be Great Britain’s first ever Tag World Champions awaits the players. Their time to take that opportunity begins today.”

2023 Great Britain Tag Rugby Training Squads

GREAT BRITAIN WOMEN’S OPEN
Head Coach: David Shipley
Assistant Coach: Cat Lindsay
Team Manager: Noel Cuddy