Lizzie Goulden: Returning Stronger for Gloucester Hartpury

Lizzie Goulden is a 32-year-old fly-half for Gloucester Hartpury. She started playing rugby when she was 4 years old, with her dad being the coach for the first six seasons. 

“I was the typical story of the only girl on the team for a while,” she says. “But when I got to secondary school, I was shocked to find out they had a girls’ team.” 

When she was 17, Goulden progressed into club rugby and began playing for Wellington Rugby Club in New Zealand. She competed in the Farah Palmer Cup for seven years, before deciding on her next steps. 

“I had always wanted to do a season in the PWR. I had a family friend who played for England’s under 20s, and I just thought he was the coolest. 

“I got put in touch with Giselle Mather, who was the coach at Wasps, and then I landed in England eight weeks later!” 

After a three-year stint with Wasps, Goulden moved to Loughborough Lightning for a season before returning to New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“After being home for a couple of months, I realized I wasn’t ready to be back yet. So, I then signed for Gloucester Hartpury, and I’m now in my fourth season here! 

“Coming to Gloucester was the best decision I’ve ever made. We’ve got such an awesome team, and a great environment to play in, I feel very privileged to be here.” 

Gloucester Hartpury made history in March 2025, becoming three-peat PWR champions after beating Saracens 34-19 in the 2024/25 final. 

“The fact that we’ve been the first team to do it three times is just incredible. We’re leaving a legacy here, and I’m so proud to be part of this golden era.” 

Goulden was unavailable for the game, due to suffering a rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in May 2024. She made her return to the matchday squad in August 2025, after 16 months on the sidelines. 

“It’s been really good to be back; my body feels good and I’m just now pushing for my position in that matchday 23. This season, I really want to focus on enjoying my rugby and pushing my performance. 

“If we’re not enjoying it, then what’s the point?” 

Something that makes Gloucester Hartpury such a special (and successful) team is their commitment to their younger players and university pathway. 

“It’s so important for us to have that pathway. The players are just so wide-eyed and willing to learn whenever they come into training, which as a senior player is so nice to see. 

“Hanna Marshall is a young 10 coming through, who has been involved in the Wales under-20s setup. She’s just an incredible baller; she’s tiny but plays with such confidence!”

Balancing elite rugby with work isn’t easy. Alongside rugby, Goulden is a dual-qualified solicitor, working part-time for a company in New Zealand. 

"Each season the demands of the game get higher, which is exciting because it shows how fast women’s rugby is growing, but it also means it gets harder to keep up with everything outside of rugby,” she says. “It’s balancing training, playing, recovery, analysis, and everything else, which becomes tough when you’re also working.” 

With a mix of full-time and part-time players in the Gloucester Hartpury squad, it poses different challenges for the squad. 

“Dual careers are hard, but there’s a real understanding within the group. The full-time players get how tough it is, and the players balancing work get that everyone’s grafting. There’s a really nice spirit in that.” 

Despite the challenges, Goulden’s love for the game hasn’t changed. 

“It is hard, but it’s worth it. I get to play for the best team in the world, in the best league in the world. I wouldn’t change that for anything.” 

Gloucester Hartpury are back in action on the 21st of December against Leicester Tigers. Secure your tickets here!