St.Helens Women's team is delighted to confirm that Emme McVernon has joined the Club!
The 17-year-old began playing rugby league with community club Heysham Atoms last year, where members of her family have previously played, including her sister Jadine, who has also recently become a Saint.
Spotted whilst playing winter league games with Orrell St James, the Saints Women’s coaching staff were impressed by Emme’s efforts on the field in the back-row position. Derek Hardman and Craig Richards quickly sought to meet her to see whether a move to the Saints would be of interest.
Speaking about joining St.Helens Women, Emme McVernon told saintsrlfc.com: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be here, it’s such a surreal experience!
“My sister has pushed me to do more, so I played winter league and then got picked up, which was honestly such a shock.”
Head over to Saints TV to watch Emme’s first interview with the Club. PLUS you can watch fellow new Saints Women’s players Jadine & Mikayla’s interviews too as a subscriber!
It makes for a special moment for the McVernon family, with both Emme and Jadine now representing the Red V. Emme joins the Women’s First Team squad ahead of the 2026 campaign and has already enjoyed getting to know her new teammates.
“Playing alongside [Jadine] is something I always said I wanted to do, so it’s just crazy, really!
“Training has been hard, it’s intense, but it’s really, really good. Seeing the level the girls train at is insane, but the coaches properly nurture you as well, which is nice. Plus, all the girls have been lovely. Honestly, it’s amazing.”
Keeping her feet firmly on the ground, Emme has set some simple goals as she steps into the Women’s Super League and the Saints environment.
“I want to progress as a player and get to where the coaches want me to be. But honestly, I just want to enjoy it and enjoy the experience.”
Joint Head Coach Craig Richards commented on Emme McVernon joining the Saints and said: “When we scouted Emme, we initially weren’t aware that she and Jadine were sisters when we approached them both, so it’s a wonderful bonus to have them both as part of the team.
“Emme was a bit of a shock because we saw this young player doing a great job at centre, but we felt she was more of a back-rower. We later found out she was stepping in to help the team in that position and doing brilliantly.
“To discover that Emme was not on any Women’s Super League club pathways blew my mind. She is a player with a lot of potential and a real willingness to learn. I see Emme as more of a long-term signing as we develop her to WSL standards, and once she gets there, the sky is the limit.”
