PFC Hartlepool & District Barbarians preparing for historic trip to Bangkok.

John Bickerstaff with rugby players including Rachel Holliday (wearing black, centre) and Katie Jo-Russell (right). Pictures: Barbarians.

Women rugby players from the region are preparing to make history.

The PFC Hartlepool & District Barbarians will be the first female squad from the town to participate in a major overseas tournament when they play in the Bangkok International Rugby 10s on February 14-15.

Hartlepool’s name reflects the fact that its primary sponsor is The PFC Trust, the charity organisation founded by Frances and Patrick Connolly.

The squad, which is centred on players from Hartlepool and District Rugby Football Union, will be managed by well-known town rugby figure John Bickerstaff.

“It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby,” said Bickerstaff.

“England are the world champions and Interest in female rugby is at a high so we felt now is the time for us to make a statement.

“The Bangkok International Rugby 10s is one of the biggest and best competitions in the world and we are thrilled to be a part of that.

“We are grateful to The PFC Trust and all our sponsors for making this possible.”

He is fulfilling a dream of the late Hartlepool businessman Alby Pattison MBE, who three times sponsored a town men’s team in the Bangkok International Sevens tournaments between 2017-19.

“Rugby was one of Alby’s many passions and he and his wife Lynne were big supporters of the Bangkok International Rugby Sevens,” added John.

“We talked about the ambition of taking a women’s team from Hartlepool to play out there.

“Alby was so passionate about Hartlepool, business and sport and so much more. This will be part of Alby’s legacy.”

the strips that Barbarians will be using highlighting The PFC Trust.

The Bangkok International 10s features five competitions on one weekend, for men, women, veterans, youth and touch rugby

Sarah Thompson will captain the PFC squad, where she will be joined by club-mates Sarah Ashcroft, Sheryl Ejim and Katie-Jo Russell.

Hartlepool RFC players Rachel Holiday and Jade Rawlings are also included, along with ex-Pool star, Mandy Duncan, who currently plays at Darlington. Sophie Hill, formerly of Rovers, but now playing with Stockton, is also named in the party.

The inclusion of Kat Huggins, Rebecca Snook and Leanne Taylor, from Darlington, and Bishop Auckland’s Jen Provan, gives the squad that Barbarians feel.

“While the core of our squad is very much from Hartlepool and District, it also reflects the strength of rugby in the county,” said Bickerstaff. “We are confident we have a squad which will rise to this exciting challenge.”

The PFC Trust, supporters of countless local good causes and sporting organisations, are the principal backers of the squad, along with J&B Recycling, Halcyon Tankers, Hart Biologicals, Kingfield Developments, SDL Lighting, The Expanded Metal Company, along with Alby Pattison’s wife Lynne.