- Welcome -

tamara taylor

head coach

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Tamara Taylor is a legend of the Women’s game. Capped

115 times for England, she has represented the national

team in four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014 and 2017) and

numerous Six Nations tournaments since debuting in 2005.

An illustrious career saw her lift the Rugby World Cup in

2014. In 2017, she was awarded the RPA Player of the Year

award while playing in the North East at DMP Sharks.

Known locally through her dedicated service to DMP

Sharks, and as an RFU community coach, she is highly

regarded throughout the North East by players, clubs, and

coaches. Since hanging her boots up as a player, Tam served as the Head Coach for the Sweden Women’s team and has recently been appointed as assistant coach at Scotland u20 women, while continuing to work for RFU as a coach developer.

fi graham

Assistant coach

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Fi Graham started playing at four years old for London

Scottish RFC, and came up through the development ranks

of England Academies to England U20S.

She received her first international cap for England in Italy

at the European Championships in 2012, also winning caps

for England Sevens. Sadly, Fi had to retire at only 26 years old

due to injury.

She is now working as a personal trainer and Strength

and conditioning coach, while juggling the demands of a

young family. Recently, Fi has been assisting Tamara Taylor

With the Sweden Women’s National squad, focusing on S&C

and skill coaching.

Steven Colwell

director of rugby

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A proud and long-standing servant of rugby in the North, Steven is a local lad, playing for many years at Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and representing Durham County. An experienced coach, he has amassed over 600 1st XV games in charge at his club, Bishop Auckland, having also coached at Durham University and managed England Counties

U20, North U20, England Students and North Senior XV. Steven has most recently been appointed as the Player Development Chairman for RFU North.

In addition to his rugby efforts, Steven runs Capo Management, a not-for-profit management company – which supports talented young people in sport.  Successes of that programme include Maëlle Picut (Stade Toulouse & France), Axelle Betheumieu (Blagnac & France) Alec Clarey (Saracens) and Davey Grant (UFC). 

francesca Harding

Chair of North East XV & Assistant Director of Rugby

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Francesca Harding has been involved in women's and girls'

rugby in County Durham for more than a decade. Initially

working with clubs at a grassroots level, she has supported

them in establishing women’s and girls’ teams. In more

recent times, she has moved into the role of becoming the

lead for the England Rugby Developing Player Programme

and the county under-18 side.

As a qualified coach, Francesca has covered all ages from

U8 level through to senior women. Her three sons are avid rugby players, and she is the director of her own business, Centre Barks, a K9 Stay and Play, and inspire IDP.