DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK DURHAM SHARKS will compete in the new Allianz Premier 15s season after the future of the North-East’s premier women’s rugby team was secured in the last few days.

At the start of the week, it looked as though a lack of funding would mean the Sharks would have to drop out of the Premier 15s, which is the top division of female rugby in England. The RFU demand certain financial guarantees before a team is able to participate at elite level, and it initially appeared that the Sharks would be unable to fulfil the requirements.

The RFU were preparing to confirm the Sharks’ departure from the league when a crowdfunding initiative was started to try to raise the funds required to allow the Darlington-based side to compete in the forthcoming campaign.

As well as raising money through the crowdfunding scheme, the Sharks were also able to attract the interest of new sponsors, whose backing has resulted in confirmation that the club will remain in the Premier 15s for the new season, which is due to start next month.

A statement on Darlington Mowden Park’s website said: “The RFU and DMP Durham Sharks are delighted to announce that the club have been successful in sourcing the funding required to continue in the Allianz Premier 15s.

“Following a combination of crowdfunding, sponsorship and public support, the Sharks have managed to raise the required funds to meet the necessary standards and will therefore participate in the 2022-23 season as planned. The two parties will continue to be in regular dialogue throughout the pre-season period.

“On behalf of everyone at the club we’d like to thank everyone who has supported the Sharks in any way in recent weeks. The backing of members, supporters, sponsors and the general public has been incredible and has truly shown the power of sport. We would also like to thank the RFU for their support over what has been a very testing time for the club. The club will continue to work hard to develop further commercial revenue streams to ensure a sustainable future for the Sharks and women’s rugby in the North-East.”

A Sharks player statement added: “We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for all your donations, messages of support and help in sharing our predicament to the wider public. It would not have been possible to secure this outcome without you. We truly are a team of the people.”