Buzza sets out Loughborough’s renewed ambition

First of all tell us how Loughborough Lightning came about?We’ve been serious about women’s rugby for a long time.  Jim Greenwood, one of the great coaches of the game, took huge pleasure from coaching the Loughborough women’s team and we’ve been a step on the pathway for 35 women’s internationals over the years. For a long time Loughborough and Cardiff Met dominated the student rugby scene. The prevalence of the women’s premiership over BUCS created a significant problem in delivering a coherent student experience and our efforts to work our way to the Premiership through our partnership with Loughborough Ladies never quite worked out.

The addition of rugby to the Olympics was the inspiration for us to start to look again, and then the proposals for the new league and the RFU investment gave us the perfect opportunity. We needed to re-establish ourselves as a force in the women’s game and I am extremely grateful to Graham Smith and Vicky Macqueen for delivering that last year. Graham’s incredible work ethic has been essential in our resurgence and Vicky Macqueen’s personality X-factor balanced Graham’s focus. I’m sure the imminent world cup will be bringing back some fabulous memories for both of them.

We're incredibly excited to be part of the new league. The money the RFU have put in has been hugely important as a catalyst and we’re very focussed on delivering and exceeding the standards they are demanding from us.

What were your selling points in applying for Super Rugby status?We have a long history and tradition allied to a unique performance environment. I think it’s likely our performance environment got us over the line. We have circa 500 performance athletes training year around across a range of team and individual sports. Our challenge to the girls will be to step up and earn their place in that environment. We’ll be providing high quality support. It will be a fabulous environment to be part of.

What's happened since that was announced?It seems like years ago! Once I calmed down we went about making our key appointments. The big one was Head Coach and we’re delighted to have been able to attract Rhys Edwards away from Rotherham Titans. Rhys has landed pretty much perfectly. He's incredibly organised, has a great manner and is technically strong. He’s only been here  a few weeks but he’s made a massive impact.

You must have felt for Lichfield when it became clear they'd lost their place?It must have been devastating for those who’ve put their heart and soul into the club. Becky and I spoke shortly after the actual announcement. She was remarkably and impressively calm and composed, but it must have been an awfully tough time.

How has player recruitment gone?Talking through this with Rhys yesterday, we’ve looked at 100+ girls since he’s arrived. We think we’ve got 32 who could currently do a job in the premiership and another 20 with strong potential.

Any big names signed?The RFU have understandably asked the clubs not to publicise anything to do with international players until after the World Cup. We’re obviously observing their request.

Are you disappointed not so many Lichfield player have come across?To be honest I couldn’t tell you who has and hasn’t come from Lichfield. We’ve seen a whole range of girls from all over the Midlands and beyond. We’ll be competitive. That’s our aim in the first season.

Tell us more about the coaching team?Rhys I’ve already mentioned - he’s gold dust. He's previously coached Wales and Cardiff Met women as well as Rotherham in the men’s Championship. We’re completing the appointment of his full time assistant and I think they’ll make a brilliant team. Stephen Duffus is also supporting the programme who’s a great young coach and highly respected by the students. He’s also coaching at Loughborough Town Ladies who we’ll have a strong link with. Gareth Harris and Gerard Mullen the LU men’s coaches have also been helping out. Chris Baird our lead S&C is a ball of energy and ideas and we’ve also got Saskia Kobus-Thompson who many will know in the women’s game, sharing her expertise with us until November. Rhys,

Chris and Amy Kirkbride [our physio formally with Bradford Bulls] are now developing individualised plans for the players. Chris Parr also plays a big role with his excellent work developing girls through the AASE programme at Loughborough College and we hope to have Vicky Macqueen involved in some way if we can keep her still long enough to discuss the possibility!

What are the short terms aims next season?Be competitive in the league. Get the culture right.

And longer term - you must have ambitious plans?To be the best women’s rugby development centre in the world.