Giants Women unveil foundation-led U16s academy

Huddersfield Giants Women have introduced an U16 and U15 player development academy with an emphasis on club growth.

The U16s academy has been compiled with players from open-access development sessions.

This marks the start of a proper women’s pathway, adding to the existing U19’s Women and Super League squad.

There are no formal games with the academy training fortnightly. The sessions will focus on basic core skill development, gameplay and fun!

The academy will continue to play for their community clubs throughout the season.

Becky Colwell and Jacob Holmes will take the lead.

James Westerby, Head of Women & Girls Rugby, commented:

“It’s great to see a complete pathway for the Huddersfield Giants Women and Girls - from the U15’s right through to our Super League squad. We now have 75 female players training and playing in the Giants badge. 

I know the coaches are looking forward to working with them and are keen to see them develop as players over future years.

To have this number of players on our pathway is a testament to the hard work that goes on at community clubs in developing young talent and we acknowledge that.”

U16s Academy

Amara Jae Cartner, Ella Bahan (both Queensbury), Martha Hodgson, Hannah Midgley, Tilly Mai Smithurst, Evie Lewis, Charlotte Mattimore (all Greetland Allrounders), Ellie Shaw (Newsome Panthers), Olivia Screen, Ebony Nicholson, Evie Hobson (all Oulton Raidettes), Molly Hill (Stanningley), Jessica Rahman (Birkenshaw Bulldogs), Poppy Laws (Rochdale Mayfield).

U15s Academy

Ruby Sharp, Sienna Kilner, Lexie Widdop, Sophia Eyre (all Dewsbury Moor), Imogen Atkinson, Liberty Engledow, Niamh Finan, Ellise Blane, Sophie Lumb (all Shaw Cross Sharks), Ellie Heathcote, Erinn Banks, Courtney-Lei Brown (all Stanningley).