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Wigan Warriors Women reveal U19s squad for 2018

The team is part of a four-year plan in preparation for the 2021 World Cup

The team will be headed up by Amanda Wilkinson, with John Whalley as Coach

Wigan Warriors Women’s team have today revealed their Under-19s squad, who will compete against three other teams as the Women’s game continues to grow.
The team will be overseen by Amanda Wilkinson, with John Whalley coaching with assistants Dom Dean and Oliver Ronfell, with Chris Jarvis helping with conditioning the side.

With only four Under-19s teams competing this year, the squad offers a great opportunity for young players to develop under the guidance of Warriors Coaches, as they push to become first team players in the future.

Bethany Pattinson will captain the side, after impressing in the trials. The 16-year old comes from Millom Rugby Union, and has shown great commitment in growing her career with the Warriors. Charlize Magraw will join her as Vice-Captain of the side, another who has impressed the coaches.

Emily Baggaley is named in the side, hoping to follow in the footsteps of twin sister, Lucy, who wears the number 23 shirt in the Women’s first team. She is joined by Level 2 Coach and referee, Emily Valentine.

Jodie Abram, Megan Dickinson, Kerrie-Ann Smith, Leah Smith, Ellise Wright and Hannah Young all join the Warriors from local side Wigan St Patricks. Nadia Yates of Orrell St James’ also makes the squad, a budding granddaughter of Hall of Fame member and Wigan legend, Billy Boston MBE.

On the squad, Amanda Wilkinson said: “Over 100 girls trialled when we announced that we would be making a Women’s team, so it was good for us to be able to organically pick not only a First Team side, but also an Under-19s team too.

“This is a brilliant chance for some young players to develop in Rugby League under the Warriors. There are only four Under-19s teams this year, so it is great for a team like Wigan to be able to host one of those teams and help with the development of young girls in Rugby League to play the community game with a chance of progressing to bigger things in the sport.”

Coach, John Whalley, said: “The Under-19s look good and there is a fantastic mix of talent from current Rugby League players, Rugby Union players, Touch Rugby League and players who have never played the sport before.

“There has been a massive progression in the group from the trials, their attitude is outstanding. They have been training well over the past few months, their handling skills have come a long way and their fitness has drastically improved.

“The first team have set a good platform now, it gives the younger girls something to aim for too. This year has been influential for girls and women in sport, and Rugby League in particular, it is great for them to be given an opportunity to pull on a Wigan shirt.”

Wigan Warriors Women’s Under-19s squad

Jodie Abram

Megan Arrowsmith

Emily Baggaley

Abigail Birbeck

Bethany Cox

Megan Dickinson

Megan Grace-Holding

Charlize Magraw (vc)

Emily McCreith-Derby

Bethany Pattinson (c)

Georgia Simm

Kerrie-Ann Smith

Leah Smith

Emily Valentine

Ellise Wright

Nadia Yates

Hannah Young


http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2018- ... 8Qw5Vcb.99

Sorry Josie but this really is money being wasted by Superleague clubs.
We cannot ape whatever RU does when the RFU have more than £400 million in the bank and the RFL have £1 36p

ian.birchall wrote:Sorry Josie but this really is money being wasted by Superleague clubs.
We cannot ape whatever RU does when the RFU have more than £400 million in the bank and the RFL have £1 36p

I agree the sport is skint with many sides unable to afford a reserve side but they find money to fund this. Little kids unable to find a local rugby league side so they start with union, this really is a joke.

You develop a women's game if you are in a healthy position not as a pc gimmick. Sorry if people get offended but this pushing the women's side on us is getting annoying when there's so many issues with the game.

At least we are trying it and giving it a go!

cherry.pie wrote:The cost will be minimal and it could help to get more people interested in the game. People really will moan about anything.

No the cost won't be minimal and it's not going to gain anymore fans. Just like the extra grassroots training in the south before the last UK world cup it'll end immediately after.
The problem is while this is going on clubs like Whitehaven will die, all for the sake of being seen to be all inclusive.

cherry.pie wrote:

Josie's friend wrote:

cherry.pie wrote:The cost will be minimal and it could help to get more people interested in the game. People really will moan about anything.

No the cost won't be minimal and it's not going to gain anymore fans. Just like the extra grassroots training in the south before the last UK world cup it'll end immediately after.
The problem is while this is going on clubs like Whitehaven will die, all for the sake of being seen to be all inclusive.

The cost will be minimal compared to something like running reserve grade (which obviously we already do). And also, it has absolutely f-all to do with Whitehaven! Unless you think the club should be funding them?

The problem is with the RLF who will be mostly funding the woman's game. At no point did I and I've just rechecked aim the issue at Wigan RL.
Widnes for example cannot afford a reserve team but they have a fully funded women's side.

Ok some little issues before the women's game should be considered.
1. A full reserve league partly funded by the RFL.
2. Grants to promote the kids game, more teams will produce more players.
3. Reduce the amount of teams in SL but help the Championship with partially funded player loan deals etc.
4. Sort out video refs either they are there for every game or not at all, this should be part of any tv deal.

Once this has been sorted, then and only then start a pc vanity women's game.

Josie's friend wrote:Ok some little issues before the women's game should be considered.
1. A full reserve league partly funded by the RFL.
2. Grants to promote the kids game, more teams will produce more players.
3. Reduce the amount of teams in SL but help the Championship with partially funded player loan deals etc.
4. Sort out video refs either they are there for every game or not at all, this should be part of any tv deal.

Once this has been sorted, then and only then start a pc vanity women's game.

SO wigan should fund other teams reserves and whitehaven before they fund their own womens team?

Mike wrote:

Josie's friend wrote:Ok some little issues before the women's game should be considered.
1. A full reserve league partly funded by the RFL.
2. Grants to promote the kids game, more teams will produce more players.
3. Reduce the amount of teams in SL but help the Championship with partially funded player loan deals etc.
4. Sort out video refs either they are there for every game or not at all, this should be part of any tv deal.

Once this has been sorted, then and only then start a pc vanity women's game.

SO wigan should fund other teams reserves and whitehaven before they fund their own womens team?

Read previous posts I'm talking about the RFL funding these improvements not Wigan. I already cleared this up with cherry pie

Its not about gaining fans and in Reality who is bothered about or turns up at the womens game? Sounds bad that... But girls have a right to progress whatever fandom it creates. Its about whats right not whats economically pleasing to the club. Promoting and growing our game whoever it is, mens, disabled, ladies, retired it doesnt mattet, its what's right.