Hull FC Girls Quartet Receive Regional Recognition

Hull FC Girls Quartet Receive Regional Recognition

Four Hull FC Girls players have been selected for Talent Hubs

Women & Girls News

Hull FC Girls representatives Ruby Ellis, Evie Sexton, Charlotte Sutton and Olivia Turner have all been selected for this year’s Girls Rugby League Talent Hubs.

It’s another success story for the Black & Whites’ burgeoning Girls Rugby League programme, which has made giant strides over the last 24 months.

Both Hull FC’s Under 16s and Under 14s Girls outfits boast impressive records in their respective leagues as they approach the halfway point in their campaigns.

There has now been extra recognition for Ruby Ellis and Evie Sexton, who have been selected for the Central Yorkshire U16s Talent Hub, as well as Charlotte Sutton and Olivia Turner, who have been listed in the Central Yorkshire U15s Talent Hub.

In addition, two of the club’s female pathways coaches have been selected to join the coaching staff within the Talent Hubs, such has been their impact on helping the development of female Rugby League players in the city in recent months.

Hull FC Female Pathways Manager Jack Coates will take up a coaching role with the Central Yorkshire U16s Talent Hub, whilst Black & Whites Girls coach Lorien Pettit will be helping out with the Central Yorkshire U15s Talent Hub.

The four-week development programme aimed at identifying the female Rugby League players of the future gets underway in June, with players set to benefit from enhanced development and playing opportunities. 

More than 140 girls aged under 15 and under 16 will take part in training sessions in Castleford, Halifax and St Helens, where the focus will be on developing a range of core skills. In common with last year’s programme, the sessions will be planned and delivered by volunteer staff, all of whom have a strong presence in Women’s and Girls Rugby League. 

These regional hubs of activity are the first step on the performance pathway, and will help young players develop into future Women’s Super League and England stars. 

The next step in the female performance pathway, post under 16, is the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme run by the RFL’s Performance Department. The national programme welcomes Years 12 and 13 girls who have the potential to reach the top level of the women’s game in England. 30 places are available every academic year for a new group of Year 12 students who study full time at school or college. 

DiSE is a ‘dual career’ performance programme which combines education and elite rugby development. Players receive high-level training delivered on a camp basis by the England Performance Unit. The rugby sessions are designed and overseen by the RFL’s Stuart Barrow, England Women Head Coach, who closely monitors players development throughout their journey.