DMP Sharks were one of only ten teams to be granted an inaugural place in the Premier 15s following its formation in 2017, with the league now widely regarded as the worlds leading domestic competition. The Sharks inclusion has seen them compete alongside the likes of Saracens, Harlequins and Wasps over recent years in the dawn of a women’s professional era.

The new partnership with Durham University is set to provide transformational benefits to the Sharks rugby programme including: additional investment; access to the new £32m Maiden Castle facility development; support from leading university sport, medical, performance and strength & conditioning practitioners; integration to the universities global network; and scholarship support for international standard student-athletes. The new partnership will also see the programme rebranded as DMP Durham Sharks to reflect the relationship and a significant combined commitment to develop a leading women’s rugby programme in the North East.

The news coincides with the RFU’s re-tender process for the 2020/21 Tyrrells Premier 15s season, which will see the Sharks and 3 other Premier 15s sides re-tender for their place in next year’s competition in the coming months. The new partnership is set to begin over the summer in advance of the 2020/21 season.

Lee Rust, Group Managing Director for Darlington Mowden Park RFC commented:

"Behind the scenes there’s been an enormous amount of work going on to develop the Sharks programme in line with the game’s progression and competition. Over recent years the programme has secured some key strategic partnerships including the likes of the initial Durham (University) relationship and more recently the SRU player agreements. We’ve taken some significant steps forward which is reflected in our current 6th place league position, the highest the Club has ever held."

"We’re delighted to be taking our partnership with Durham University to this next stage. Durham University is a leading global education provider and brand with the largest university women’s rugby programme in the country alongside some truly world-class facilities and sporting resources. It is a transformational partnership to secure for the Club and North East rugby which will complement the overall programme plan and other education partnerships that we hold."

"The Sharks have been the leading team in the North East for nearly 15 years, having developed more than 500 players including multiple internationals, and we want that legacy to continue and indeed grow. Whilst the recent news that we weren’t automatically granted a new position in the league was disappointing, we are excited to be working with Durham University towards another significant step change for women’s rugby in our region."

Mark Brian, Head of Sport and Physical Activity at Durham University, commented:

"We’ve been working with DMP since 2017 and the partnership has naturally and professionally developed to this exciting new stage. Over the past 6 months in particular we’ve spent a lot of time planning how we can collectively take the programme forward longer-term and we felt it was important to announce the partnership at this early point in order to progress and implement some aspects in time for the new 2020-21 season."

"The university has a proven track record with various high profile sport franchises and we’ve recognised this as an outstanding opportunity to play a key part in the leading domestic women’s rugby competition in the world."

"Specifically from a student-athlete perspective, our dual career offer will provide world-class education alongside a world-class sporting platform, with the view of developing and retaining international standard student-athletes in our region as well as attracting them from across the globe."

"We’re also pleased to be able to work collaboratively and share our various resources with the programme and the non student-athletes. Ultimately we believe there are combined assets to deliver a sustainable women’s premiership rugby programme in the region that can be competitive with leading clubs from the south."