England Students Women’s Programme Executive roles announced

The Students’ Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is pleased to announce that Andrew Ford has been appointed as the Head Coach of the newly re-established England Students Programme, alongside Poppy Leitch as his assistant coach. Charlotte Ankerstjerne will join as Team Manager for the programme, finishing the set-up in a critical role.

The England Students Women’s programme has been re-established after a 20-year hiatus with the continuing growth of women’s rugby nationally and internationally.

The SRFU, along with the university sector, want to take the opportunity to showcase the significant female rugby talent still developing via the Higher Education structures in England.

Ford is currently the head coach of the Hartpury University Women’s side, and this season led them to a 3rd league title in a row, as well as being voted Women’s BUCS Super Rugby coach of the season.

Andrew Ford

He is also the backs and attack coach of the PWR programme at Gloucester Hartpury, where he has won three Premiership titles in a row.

On the programme, Ford said: “I'm hoping it's going to be a great week for everyone involved in the programme, and we can really go out there and show it deserves to be here.

“I’m really glad that Katy Storie pushed to get this up and running now, especially in the World Cup year, rather than waiting because we really felt now is the time to do it. The strength of the university system is unbelievable.”

The UKAF Women's Rugby team, which consists of players from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, will host a camp and a fixture against the England Students Women's team from the 5th to the 9th of August 2025.

This event will serve as a warm-up for the Women's International Defence Rugby Competition taking place in England in August, leading up to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

SRFU chair Mark Hyndman commented: "We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Andrew Ford as the new Head Coach of the England Students Women’s team.

“Andrew's recent accolade as the BUCS Super Rugby Coach of the Year is a testament to his

exceptional coaching abilities and dedication to developing the women’s pathway.

“We are confident that under his leadership, the team will thrive this summer when playing UKAF.”

Joining Ford’s coaching staff as an assistant coach will be Exeter University Women’s Head Coach and Exeter Chiefs captain, Poppy Leitch.

Poppy Leitch

Exeter finished 2nd in BUCS Super rugby this year, finishing just two points behind champions

Hartpury. Leitch was also voted BUCS Women’s National League coach of the season in 2022-23, where she led her Exeter side to a BUCS National championship final in their first season in the top flight since 2019-20.

In December, Leitch also became the first Exeter Chiefs Women’s player to reach 100 appearances for the club and is also a graduate of the University pathway herself, having won the championship twice as a player.

"I think back to my university experience, and I was probably one of those players who could have done with an England Students opportunity, it’s a step up, and I think having this programme is vital.”

Finishing the set-up in a critical role, International Programme Manager with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team, Charlotte Ankerstjerne, will also join as Team Manager for the programme.

Katy Storie, former England International, SRFU Trustee and RFU Council Member, said: "We’re delighted to have completed a very competitive application process for the Head Coach and Team Manager roles in the new England Students Women’s programme and have appointed outstanding candidates to these key roles.

"Andrew Ford, Poppy Leitch and Charlotte Ankerstjerne will be critical to the success of this exciting programme in such an important year for the game. I know they all are extremely keen to get the squad together and build into the summer camp and fixture.

"All are heavily connected with university sports and support our vision of showcasing the talent we are developing within the HE sector."