Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies rugby league team have been honoured with a civic reception in recognition of their rise to the Betfred Women’s Super League.
The squad were officially welcomed to Leigh Town Hall on Friday (19 August) and presented with a special award marking their recent promotion and progress.
Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the team and everything they’ve achieved, and we were delighted to have them with us to formally celebrate their success.
“Leigh Miners Rangers are the only community rugby league club competing at this level and it’s absolutely fantastic to see them flying the flag for Leigh and the whole of our borough on a national stage.
“As a council, we’re really passionate about supporting local athletes through investment in facilities and initiatives such as the Believe Sports Talent Fund, and we wanted the girls to know that we are right behind them on their journey to the top.
“We’re also proud that our borough is at the forefront of women’s rugby league as it continues to grow, with two of our teams now competing in the Betfred Women’s Super League and the DW Stadium hosting England Women when they take on Canada at the Rugby League World Cup this November.
“We’re very lucky in Wigan Borough to have some incredible role models in local champions like Keely Hodgkinson, Ella Toone and many others, and Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies are very much part of that – providing a real inspiration for so many young girls and boys.”
Accepting the award on behalf of her teammates, team captain Mairead Quinn said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic honour to be here. We knew this year was going to be a real challenge, but the girls have all been working really hard and we really appreciate the recognition and support that Wigan Council have given us.
“We’ve never really thought of ourselves as role models, but it’s nice to see so many young girls now coming through and aspiring to play in Super League. We’re playing teams like Wakefield Trinity, Castleford Tigers, Bradford Bulls… and then there’s little Leigh Miners! It’s brilliant for us and it’s something that I personally, as a Leigh girl, am really proud of.”
Steve Quinn, team manager and assistant coach, added: “We really appreciate the invitation and the recognition for the work we’ve been doing. Reaching Super League last year was the pinnacle of that, but the work has been going on for 10 years to get us where we are.”
Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies were promoted to Group 2 of the Betfred Women’s Super League following a 10-6 win over Barrow Raiders Ladies in the Championship Grand Final at Thatto Heath last October. They currently sit fifth in the table with four wins from 10 games and are well on course for survival following a 36-6 win at Wakefield Trinity on Sunday.
Wigan Borough will host five matches at this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup – including England Women’s Group A fixture against Canada at the DW Stadium on Saturday 5 November, which will be played as a double-header with the second men’s quarter-final.
Leigh Sports Village will stage three group stage games: Wales v Cook Islands on Wednesday 19 October, Lebanon v Ireland on Sunday 23 October, and Lebanon v Jamaica on Sunday 30 October.
