Red Roses international Lilli Ives Campion has committed her club future to Loughborough Lightning after signing an extended contract.
The 21-year-old second row is the joint sixth-highest appearance maker in Lightning history, tied on 66 with Helen Nelson, having made her debut as a 17-year-old against Saracens in April 2021.
Ives Campion has progressed through the pathway at Loughborough, playing BUCS and for England at U18 and U20 age grade levels before making her senior Red Roses debut against France in September 2024.
In December 2024, Ives Campion moved to 50th Premiership Women’s Rugby appearances against Gloucester-Hartpury, and signed off the 2024/25 season with a try in the final round victory over Trailfinders Women at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Her club form saw Ives Campion remain in the Red Roses equation and she made her Guinness Women’s Six Nations debut in the Round 1 victory over Italy.
“The 2024/25 season was a really enjoyable one for me both personally, and as a team with Loughborough Lightning,” Ives Campion said. “With the support I have received at Loughborough, I feel it’s really helped me grow my game and push on into the senior international stage.
“The way Lightning finished the season was extremely encouraging, winning five out of our last seven games and defeating a couple of teams who reached the top four. I really want to play my part in us closing that gap even further in 2025/26.
“The support we get at every game at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens and around the country too is a big factor. Everything feels like it is moving in the right direction. I feel that Loughborough is the best place for me to continue making progress as a rugby player.”
Lilli Ives Campion
Ives Campion is the latest player to commit her future to Loughborough, following on from Bo Westcombe-Evans, Kendall Waudby, Meg Davey, Krissy Scurfield and Sadia Kabeya in signing a new deal.
Head coach Nathan Smith said: “We are tremendously proud of Lilli and everything she has achieved in a short space of time in her rugby career. This season she has really kicked onto another level and I am delighted to see that is being recognised by the Red Roses.
“Lilli is among the finest examples of the pathway that we have in place here at Loughborough and how it can develop young female rugby players into internationals.
“There has been enormous growth in her game and I am confident there is more to come in the years ahead and I am delighted to be working with her at Loughborough Lightning.”
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