ARE HARLEQUINS THE PWR TEAM FOR YOU? – Captain Jade Konkel explains why they should be!
Jade Konkel sat down with The New Women’s Sport Magazine ahead of her third season as Harlequins captain.
She gave us an elevator pitch of why new fans should support Quins ahead of the opening PWR game of the new season.
As is the case after any summer of sport, be that with the Olympics, a Euros or Wimbledon, new fans flock to the stands in the autumn to follow their newfound favourite players or teams.
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup has been no different. Thousands of fans fell in love with the game this summer, following the tournament from start to finish and selling out stadiums on their way.
But all those new fans need somewhere to channel their support. And that’s where the league comes in.
The PWR begins this evening, Friday 24 October, and the ‘Opening Act’ takes place at The Stoop, Twickenham as Harlequins take on Loughborough Lightning.
World Champions will be in action, with Ellie Kildunne and Lucy Packer lining up for the home side opposite England teammates Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya and Helena Rowland.
However, it’s not just the English who’ll be in action tonight, a whole host of international stars form part of the lineup.
This includes Quins captain Jade Konkel, who hung-up her Scotland jersey at the end of the World Cup, after 12 years in their senior setup.
The 31-year-old will now lead out Quins in her third season as captain, and she encouraged new fans to head down to The Stoop and support her side.
That’s what’s really special about coming to The Stoop, you leave there wanting to come back and feel that you’ve really experienced something.
She said: “The way they put the games on at The Stoop is incredible.
“We make sure we thank the fans that have come out, we speak to them, we sign things, we get pictures, and we build those relationships.
“I think that’s what’s really special about coming to The Stoop, you leave there wanting to come back and feel that you’ve really experienced something.
“As much as people love to come to see us, we love to see them as well. I’ve got people that I see after every game, and we’re on first name terms.
“It’s nice to see people coming back and having all that support. The personable area of it is a reason why people should come down.
“I don’t think anyone’s ever left The Stoop having had a bad experience.”
The match starts at 7:30pm, but the gates will be open from 6:00pm for a whole host of exciting pre-match activities.
Fans will be able to see the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the PWR trophies in the North Village before the ‘Opening Act’ lightshow just before kick-off.
As mentioned by Konkel, the players will stop for selfies and autographs with fans after the full-time whistle.
If you can’t get down to the game, it is available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online.
iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/l0057jr6
Sport Online: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union
