Women's performance rugby

The University of Surrey offers a high-performance environment designed for ambitious student-athletes, combining academic rigor with a unique rugby programme geared toward professional development. Our programme benefits from an elite pathway partnership with PWR side Harlequins WRFC, whose elite training base is located right here on the Manor Park campus next to Surrey Sports Park.

You will train under the guidance of a dedicated and vastly experienced coaching staff featuring current PWR player and England International Lagi Tuima, Rugby World Cup Finalist Shaunagh Brown, and specialist Attack Coach Ali Chisholm, guaranteeing technical expertise and the latest insights into the modern game.

As a Top 20 UK University, we are dedicated to your success on and off the pitch. Our comprehensive Dual Career Programme provides essential support, including academic flexibility, financial aid, and one-to-one practitioner support, allowing you to pursue your athletic and academic potential without compromise.

Why Surrey?

Surrey offers a distinct competitive edge: a world-class performance environment interwoven with the structure of a top-tier professional club. If your goal is to excel academically while developing for Premiership or international rugby, the University of Surrey has the pathway for you.

Performance Programme Benefits

  • Elite level coaching and support from professional coaches and PWR/ international players 
  • Access to dedicated physiotherapy, massage clinic and medical support
  • Professional video analysis  
  • Dedicated strength & conditioning coaching and programming 
  • Sports psychology and performance nutrition support 
  • Access to scholarships, bursaries and financial support
  • Exposure to a professional setup and PWR pathway
Solana
Gym
Gym 2
Gym 3
AGPs
Grass Pitches
Swimming pool
Studios
Arenas
Tennis Courts
Spin Studio
Treatment Room

Facilities

  • 10 Grass pitches
  • 3 Artificial pitches, including 2x 3G pitches
  • 50m, 8 lane, Olympic standard swimming pool
  • Newly refurbished 120 station gym and strength & conditioning area with 9 Olympic platforms
  • Sauna & steam room
  • 2 large exercise and dance studios
  • Outdoor gym area

Coaching Staff

Pat Metcalfe-Jones

Pat Metcalfe-Jones

Head of Women's Rugby / Pathway Manager:

Pat Metcalfe-Jones leads Women’s Rugby at Harlequins WRFC and the University of Surrey pathway programme, bringing extensive experience from within the elite women’s performance pathway having had success at Wasps and Ealing prior to joining the University of Surrey. Her role as the Head of Women’s Rugby at Harlequins ensures both rugby programmes maintain strong alignment, with Pat working closely with Premiership Women’s Rugby and national coaches to maximize training and playing opportunities for aspiring players.

 

Alistair Chisolm

Alistair Chisolm

Head Coach:
 

Ali Chisholm is the Women's Head Coach who specializes in Attack and Backs Play. Bringing extensive, high-level university coaching experience, Ali develops the team’s attacking strategy with creativity, clarity, and detail. His coaching is focused on enhancing game understanding, decision-making, and execution under pressure, empowering players to perform with freedom and confidence.


Lagi Tuima

Lagi Tuima

Assistant Coach:

Lagi Tuima serves as an Assistant Coach, specializing in backs development and defensive systems. As a current Premiership Women’s Rugby and England international player, she brings unparalleled, first-hand insight into the technical, tactical, and physical demands of the elite level. Lagi's coaching philosophy centres on cultivating confident, creative decision-makers equipped with strong core skills and the defensive resilience required to succeed at the highest levels of the game.

Shaunagh Brown

Shaunagh Brown

Assistant Coach:
 

Shaunagh Brown serves as an Assistant Coach, specializing in mastering the breakdown and contact area. A highly decorated former England international and Rugby World Cup Finalist, she was a key figure in multiple Women's Six Nations Grand Slam victories. Leveraging this world-class expertise, her focus is developing player physicality, work-rate, and decision-making in contact, transforming them into highly confident forces across attack and defence.

CURRENT PLAYERS

Zara Green

ZARA GREEN

COURSE: Midwifery

HONOURS: U18 & U20 England International

DEBUT: 2025

Ella Cromack

ELLA CROMACK

COURSE: Sport & Exercise Science

HONOURS: U18 & U20 England International

DEBUT: 2025

Maddy Page

MADDY PAGE

COURSE: Sport & Exercise Science

HONOURS: U18 & U20 England International

DEBUT: 2025

Solana Shaw

SOLANA SHAW

COURSE: Sport & Exercise Science

HONOURS: U18 England International, GB Senior 7's

Dual Career FINANCIAL SUPPORT

A University Dual Career is a pathway where sport and education are both valued and is an opportunity for an individual to reach their sporting, academic, work and life potential. The Dual Career Programme is therefore in place to support high performance athletes who are studying alongside their sporting commitments.

Award Criteria

  • Performance - Players who have represented regional age-grade centres (U18 PDG) or players who have received caps at ACE League level. 

  • Talent - Players who have been involved in international level age-grade or senior representative rugby training camps or Players who have received caps at PWR Cup or PWR League level. 

  • Elite - Players who have received caps at international level for U20s or senior representative rugby or players who have received caps at U18s representative rugby in the previous season. 

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Benefits of the programme

  • Financial support to aid competition fees, travel, equipment, pre-season, accommodation & parking
  • 1-to-1 Practitioner support fund
  • Dedicated Performance Lifestyle advisor
  • Team Surrey Membership (fees paid)
  • Surrey Sports Park Membership (fees paid)
  • Dual Career Training kit

 
S&C

Academic support

Those who have been identified by Team Surrey and are part of the dual career programme may be eligible for grade reduction consideration. Students not taking a science A-level, can be considered for a Sports and Exercise Science with Foundation Year Bsc. This is on a case-by-case basis and is dependent on year of entry, and applicants must meet any subject-specific entry requirements.

How to get involved

Fill out an interest form:

2026 entry - Women's Rugby Prospective Student September 2026

2027 entry - Women's Rugby Prospective Student September 2027

Get in contact - we're here to help

Contact the head coach (Pat.Metcalfe-Jones@quins.co.uk) about any rugby enquiries.

Questions surrounding performance sport and the university please direct to Performance@teamsurrey.co.uk  

 instagram1 @usrfcwomens