Ahead of our Women's Super League opener against York on Sunday Afternoon, our playing group had a special night at The Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday!
Players were invited to do their captain’s run on the pitch at the ground ahead of Sunday’s big clash in Yorkshire. This will become a regular theme across the 2023 season for our playing group. The players were able to enjoy a 90 minute session on the Totally Wicked Stadium pitch in their last session ahead of Sunday’s game.
Following that, the players (alongside staff) went for their monthly team feed in the 1873 Lounge, allowing them to socialise whilst enjoying some food before the continuation of their special night.
St Helens and England Prop, Alex Walmsley, was invited along to help with our players’ shirt presentations. Walmsley spoke highly of our playing group, giving a speech to the group, along with wishing them all the very best of luck in the upcoming season. Alex has always been very supportive of our women’s side from the get go, so we would like to thank Alex for his support and we hope to see him back on the pitch soon!
Best of luck to the Women tomorrow in their clash against Leeds in the semis of the cup, go get it ๐ช๐ผ https://t.co/Sr3ekuWV3C
— Alex Walmsley (@engywalmsley) May 21, 2021
We started the presentation by handing out shirts to the debutants on Sunday, and it is fair to say that there were plenty of tears in the room as their family members were invited to attend the special night.
That was followed by playing number 1-27, as they all got up to collect their playing shirts for the upcoming season. Vice Captains, Tara Jones and Emily Rudge, alongside skipper Jodie Cunningham were saved until last. The Captain then gave a speech about just how special the night had been for the girls, thanking Matty and his staff for their efforts in making the night happen.
We ended the night with a video showing the players some fun moments over our pre-season months. Following that, we had a video showing some highlights of last season. It ended with messages of support from several past players alongside men’s first team players. The recently depeated trio, Danielle Bush, Alice Sandham and Isabelle Rudge sent in their well wishes ahead of the season, whilst Saints Captain, James Roby, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Matty Lees and more sent their messages of support to our playing group.
And now, finally, the looooooong wait it over. We are back in action tomorrow as we travel to York to face the Valkyrie!
๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐! ๐
We return to competitive action for the first time in over seven months on Sunday!
๐ Sunday 16th April
๐ @YorkValkyrie
๐๏ธ LNER Community Stadium
โ 1pm KO
๐บ @TheSportsman
๐๏ธ https://t.co/pslKTVpX3Q#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/Y9sVbiQmcx— St.Helens Women (@saints1890women) April 10, 2023