Following the captain's launch of Tyrrell’s Premier 15’s, which took place at Twickenham last week, Wasps FC Ladies are proud to announce Kate Alder as our club captain for the 2017/18 season.

Kate has been playing for Wasps FC Ladies since 2015, and in just two short years has made her mark on the club both on and off the pitch. Last season Kate made 13 appearances for the Ladies 1XV and proved one of our top try scorers of the season and more recently, Kate led Wasps Ladies 7s squad to the Secure Trading 24/7s National final, named one of her proudest moments with Wasps.

“Our success in the 7s circuit was amazing, our team building and graft in the alps made me very proud to be a Waspie, but definitely being selected as club captain is my proudest Wasps moment to date”

Starting Rugby at the age of 12 with Clevedon Rugby Club, Kate has played for a number of teams and invitational sides in her rugby career including University of Exeter, Moody Cows and Nomads – the sport is a huge part of her life.

“Rugby is so many things for me! It's hours travelling on the motorway with my dad, it's a physical challenge, a huge extended family, stupid tours, nights out, wins, losses and an opportunity to see what you're really made of. I'm biased but it's definitely the best sport in the world!”

If she wasn’t playing centre, Kate would like to try her luck at scrum half or on the flank, though if she moved to the forwards she might have to double up on her Game Day Banana Pancakes habits, or maybe just employ Gordon Ramsey, her chef of choice, as her game day breakfast chef.

Kate is hugely excited to be leading Wasps FC Ladies into the inaugural Tyrrell’s premier 15s season, the opportunity to play in a new set up and also against new teams!

“...I think the biggest excitement is to see what the rankings are going to be at the end of the season. For the first time in a long while no-one knows who will come out on top and it's all to play for!!”

Though exciting, the new season also comes with new challenges and fears, not least, the competition for shirts-

“…There's been so much hard work put in over the summer that people are bigger, fitter, stronger and more skillful - no-ones shirt is safe! This is a good position to be in and is a fear across the board as the standards are increasing week by week…”

Kate has been an asset to the team, her positivity and determination to improve and succeed week on week is contagious. We are “chuffed” to have her leading us forward!

For latest updates on Wasps FC Ladies and Tyrrells Premier 15s follow: @Waspsladies @premier15s on Twitter #OnceAWasp #Premier15s