Cannock ladies' rugby team in squad plea

A threadbare squad of 15 players has formed and they – the Cannock Lionesses – are appealing for new blood to come forward and bolster the ranks of the side.

Preparations are well under way for next season, with training sessions taking place at the Lions' Stafford Road base. Players aged 16-plus are needed.

Captain Rhiannon Greenway has longstanding family connections with the club.

Her grandfather and father, both called Jim O'Sullivan, are former presidents and her son Jake, aged 12, and daughter Millie, nine, have become the fourth generation of her family to wear the blue and gold jersey. The residential manager, 32, said the sport was growing in popularity among women.

She said: "We have the Rugby World Cup coming to England in 2015 and there is money being pumped into the women's game. The England side has been very successful and are playing some really attractive rugby.

"We are very much a side of all abilities with many novices who have only been playing for three weeks. We have some qualified and very experienced coaches and the idea is to start playing games in the new season after a few months of training. It is a great sport to play and you do get a lot of enjoyment out of it so I would really recommend it to anyone who feels like giving it a go. For me there is a personal connection to wanting to do this.

"I have been associated with the club all my life and my family has been involved for years. My two children absolutely love playing the game and I thought it was time we tried to get a women's team on the go after more than 15 years."

Anyone who is interested in joining the side can contact Rhiannon be calling 07813 637418 or emailing her at rhiannon001@live.co.uk.

Prospective players and sponsors can also contact the club on 01543 495211.