Three Hartpury University and Hartpury College alumni have been named as captains for their respective women’s rugby national teams this year.
Zoe Aldcroft (former Level 3 sport diploma and BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences student) has been named as England captain for 2025. Fellow alumna Hannah Jones (BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy) has also been named captain of Wales while Hartpury staff member Sam Monaghan (forwards coach) is confirmed as captain of Ireland.
Zoe was named World Player of the Year in 2021 and has co-captained Gloucester Hartpury RFC to the last two Premiership Women's Rugby titles.
Talking to the BBC, Zoe said: "It's an incredible honour. I feel privileged to have the trust of John Mitchell (head coach) and the coaching staff.
"To be able to follow in Marlie Packer’s (former captain) footsteps means a lot to me. I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and advice she has shared with me over the years, and I know I will be well supported by her, Meg and our whole leadership group."
Zoe has captained England before, including against Scotland in their successful 2024 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.
Tom Radcliffe, Director of Elite Sport at Hartpury University and Hartpury College said: “We’re immensely proud to see three outstanding players with Hartpury links named as captains of their respective nations. All three players are outstanding role models for our current students and alumni and are ambassadors of our well-established rugby pathway.”
Women’s rugby at Hartpury
The women’s rugby pathway at Hartpury is highly regarded, and the institution has a track record of honing player skills while equipping them for a future beyond the rugby field. Students have extensive opportunities to play rugby whilst studying, as well as being involved in support roles such as coaching, nutrition, and strength and conditioning.
Students over the age of 17 and with special dispensation (applied for by Hartpury and approved through Gloucestershire Rugby Union) can also be part of the senior Gloucester Hartpury RFC programme. This has proven to be an extremely effective route for talented players to excel on the professional and world stage.
Watch the video explaining the women’s rugby programme at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.
Teaching across a range of college and university courses is exceptional, too. Hartpury University ranks 4th in the UK for Sports Science according to the Guardian University Guide 2025.
