Trailfinders announce shock exit of Giselle Mather

Trailfinders Women have announced that Director of Rugby Giselle Mather has left the club just over a week before the team is due to start their season in the PWR Up Series.

The decision, said to be mutual, was made due to a ‘difference in philosophy’ ahead of their second top-flight season.

Mather, who as a player won the 1994 World Cup with England, was a runner-up for PWR Coach of the Season for 2023/24 alongside Loughborough Lightning’s Nathan Smith with Gloucester-Hartpury’s Sean Lynn earning the accolade after back-to-back PWR titles.

Trailfinders finished sixth in their first season in the league, ending their maiden campaign on a high with a 54-27 victory against local rivals Harlequins.

Mather, previously Director of Rugby at Wasps, built the Trailfinders team from scratch, recruiting international stars such as Abby Dow, Kate Zackary, Tyson Beukeboom, and Lindelwa Gwala ahead of their first top-flight season.

After first joining the club in 2022, she blended youth with experience in the set-up, nurturing the development of younger players alongside stars of the game.

Mather said on the club’s website: “I am immensely proud to have built the foundations for future success for Trailfinders Women. Building an elite premiership side from scratch has been an incredible project, and leading it has been an honour.

“Due to a difference in philosophy for our second season, we have reached a mutual decision to part ways. I would like to acknowledge the huge privilege it has been to work with the amazing and talented athletes and committed staff at the Club. I am proud of the momentum we have built during our inaugural season. I wish all those involved every success going forward.”

Mather’s unexpected departure is the third from a female head coach in the league ahead of the 2024/25 season, following Vicky Macqueen leaving Leicester Tigers and Harlequins’ Amy Turner moving to another role at the men’s side of the club.

A trailblazer in her field, Mather became the first female coach to be employed full-time by a men's Premiership side when she became London Irish's Academy Coach and ASSE (Advanced Apprenticeship and Sporting Excellence) Head Coach.

One of the first Red Roses, with cap number 35, Mather has additionally worked as Head Coach of England U20s Women and Assitant Coach of the England women's senior team.

The Telegraph report that Mather’s exit was the result of a disagreement with Ealing Trailfinders Managing Director Ben Ward, who said in the club’s statement: “I would like to thank Giselle Mather for how hard she has worked for Trailfinders Women and what she has accomplished. Building a new team is incredibly hard, and she led us forward in our first season in the PWR.

“Our style of rugby represents the Trailfinders way and has been enjoyable to watch. She is written into the history books at Ealing Trailfinders and Trailfinders Women. We wish Giselle the best for the future.”

The PWR Up Series starts on 7 September with Trailfinders due to play Harlequins on the 8th. The PWR league season will start on 5 October, with Trailfinders facing Saracens in the first match.