Women’s 2020 squad announced

Discuss all things Wigan Warriors. Comments and opinions on all aspects of the club's performance are welcome.
Post Reply
josie andrews
Posts: 35575
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
Location: Wigan
Contact:

Women’s 2020 squad announced

Post by josie andrews »

Wigan Warriors Women’s 2020 squad announced ahead of new Betfred Women’s Super League.

Women’s Head Coach Kris Ratcliffe names 27-player squad for the Warriors’ third season as a team.

The action kicks off on Sunday 29th March as Wigan face newly promoted Warrington Wolves.

Ahead of the new Betfred Women’s Super League season, Kris Ratcliffe has named his Wigan Warriors 27-player squad.

Wigan will kick off their campaign at the end of March as they face an opening day tie against newly promoted Warrington Wolves.

With the Rugby League World Cup just over a year away and the Women’s game growing emphatically year on year, the 2020 season offers a huge incentive for those in the sport.

Following some assessment and recruitment in the off-season, Warriors Head Coach Ratcliffe has named his squad for the upcoming season.

Speaking on the announcement, Ratcliffe said: “When this side was established two seasons ago it was about getting a team on the field and being as competitive as possible, and expectations were surpassed massively as Wigan lifted the title in their first season.

“ Last year, it became apparent that we needed to evolve in order to reach those levels of success again, meaning change, a degree of rebuilding and embedding of stronger foundations were imperative.

“I’m really pleased with how that growth and development has gone since the middle of last year. We have a new look side with the potential to develop over the coming seasons - six of the girls are in the new DISE programme amongst the most talented 18-year olds in the game.”

He added: “Despite losing a few players, we have added some quality signings, notably Paige Costello who makes the switch from Bradford Bulls and Emily Stirzaker from Barrow, amongst many others. Our foundations for the future have also strengthened with ETP scholarship type sessions at 12s, 14s and 16s to support and develop the local community game and provide a robust talent pathway beneath the first team.”

Ratcliffe has also made some changes off the field to his backroom staff for 2020. Speaking on these changes, he said: “We have also strengthened our backroom staff with the appointment of two quality strength & conditioning coaches in Daniel Norman and Adam Withington. In addition, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation’s Tom Marsh will be heading up our U19s and ETP squads assisted by Ady Picton.”

18 Warriors who saw first team action last year return to the squad, which sees England International, Rachel Thompson captain the side and Victoria Molyneux support as vice captain.

Last year, it became apparent that we needed to evolve in order to reach those levels of success again, meaning change, a degree of rebuilding and embedding of stronger foundations were imperative.

“I’m really pleased with how that growth and development has gone since the middle of last year. We have a new look side with the potential to develop over the coming seasons - six of the girls are in the new DISE programme amongst the most talented 18-year olds in the game.”

He added: “Despite losing a few players, we have added some quality signings, notably Paige Costello who makes the switch from Bradford Bulls and Emily Stirzaker from Barrow, amongst many others. Our foundations for the future have also strengthened with ETP scholarship type sessions at 12s, 14s and 16s to support and develop the local community game and provide a robust talent pathway beneath the first team.”

Ratcliffe has also made some changes off the field to his backroom staff for 2020. Speaking on these changes, he said: “We have also strengthened our backroom staff with the appointment of two quality strength & conditioning coaches in Daniel Norman and Adam Withington. In addition, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation’s Tom Marsh will be heading up our U19s and ETP squads assisted by Ady Picton.”

18 Warriors who saw first team action last year return to the squad, which sees England International, Rachel Thompson captain the side and Victoria Molyneux support as vice captain.

Rebecca Greenfield retains the full-back spot, with Leah Darbyshire, Georgia Wilson and Megan Grace-Holding making up the wings alongside the captain Thompson. Top try scorer in 2019, Alison Burrows, takes the No.7 shirt.

Wigan boast a number of forward pack options, ranging from ever-presents such as Holly Speakman, Jade Gregory-Haselden and Natalie Watson to some of the newer faces in the squad. Carys Marsh and Emma Dwyer will continue in their pivot roles with shirt No.s 9 and 15, with the Baggaley twins once again offering second row and prop options for the Cherry and Whites.

The Warriors welcome their newest six first teamers in Mia Dobson, Clare Radford, Danielle Molyneux, Jen Pickersgill, Beth Hayes, Lauren Gillham and Leah porter.

Fixtures for the 2020 Betfred Women’s Super League can be found by clicking HERE.

https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2020 ... -announced

Here is Wigan Warriors Women’s first team squad:

1 Rebecca Greenfield
2 Leah Darbyshire
3 Rachel Thompson (C)
4 Georgia Wilson
5 Megan Grace-Holding
6 Emily Stirzaker
7 Alison Burrows
8 Holly Speakman
9 Carys Marsh
10 Jade Gregory-Haselden
11 Hayley Martinus
12 Paige Costello
13 Victoria Molyneux (VC)
14Emily Baggaley
15Emma Dwyer
16 Lucy Baggaley
17 Eleanor Dainty
18 Megan Bragg
19 Natalie Watson
20 Katie Stephens
21 Mia Dobson
22 Clare Radford
23 Danielle Molyneux
24 Jennifer Pickersgill
25 Beth Hayes
26 Lauren Gillham
27 Leah Porter

The Women will face UK Armed Forces at Hindley this Sunday for their first pre-season friendly. On the game, Ratcliffe said: “Pre-season has been tough so far, we needed to be fitter as a team and the girls have really bought into that and worked hard. There is a real happy feel about the camp at the minute and we are looking forward to our first friendly game of the year against UKAF this Sunday at 12pm.”

https://wiganwarriors.com/news/2020-02- ... -announced
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
medlocke
Posts: 10628
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:57 am
Location: Millom
Contact:

Re: Women’s 2020 squad announced

Post by medlocke »

My mates daughter at number 21
Post Reply