Percy Park’s Orla McCallion Joins Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Ahead of the Women’s 19/20 Premier 15s Season.
Percy Park would like to extend their heartfelt congratulations to Orla McCallion as she joins Darlington Mowden Park Sharks ahead of the 2019/20 Tyrrells Premier 15s season. Orla becomes the Sharks’ first new signing of the summer, as they begin to build their squad for the upcoming league campaign.
Orla joins the Mowden Park from Premier 15s rivals Loughborough Lightning, having previously represented Percy Park and Morpeth. Orla McCallion started playing rugby within the Percy Park Mini and Pirates section before furthering her rugby education with a ladies team at Morpeth.
The 18 year-old returns to the North East after gaining representative honours for Northumberland and England U18s. Asked about her motivations for joining the Sharks, she added: “My home town is Whitley Bay, so DMP is my local Premier 15s side. I’ve been watching the Sharks closely this season and they have shown their capabilities as a side and have taken some good wins, which will hopefully continue to progress next season.”
The young forward joins the team ahead of their third season in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, and the Sharks will be looking to build on their 8th place finish this time round. Touching on her own ambitions for the 19/20 campaign, McCallion said: “I’m hoping to gain more experience of Premier 15s rugby and develop my attributes as an all-round rugby player while pushing myself to have more opportunities to represent my country in the future.”
DMP Sharks Head of Programme Justin Loveridge was equally pleased with the latest addition to his playing squad: “It’s great to have Orla joining DMP Sharks - a local girl coming back to the area to continue her rugby education. We’re looking forward to seeing what Orla can bring to the squad after a strong season with Loughborough and TDG18s.”