Loughborough Lightning is delighted to confirm that five front row forwards have extended their contracts ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Head coach Nathan Smith has taken his total number of confirmed and announced re-signings to 19 this summer after Amelia Williams, Lucy Calladine, Tiwaah Adjei-Ansere, Isla Curphey and Kendall Waudby all agreed new deals.
Prop Curphey, who is capable of packing down on both sides of the scrum, enjoyed a fine end to the 2023/24 campaign after a series of impactful contributions from the bench led to her starting the last round fixture against Saracens, which was her 25th in African Violet shirt having made her Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby debut in January 2022 against DMP Durham Sharks.
The 24-year-old also played a key role in Loughborough University’s run to the BUCS National Championship final earlier this year, in what was her final season of student rugby following her graduation.
Loosehead prop Williams made her PWR debut in February off the bench against Leicester Tigers and ended the 2023/24 campaign with nine league and cup appearances as well as England Under-20s honours, and was this week named in their squad for the Six Nations Women’s Summer Series. The 19-year-old is now entering her second year of studies at Loughborough University.
Hooker Calladine is also participating in the Six Nations Series this summer for England U20 having made her Premiership debut in May against Gloucester-Hartpury. The 19-year-old has made three Lightning appearances to date.
Fellow hooker Waudby is also a capable back rower and has previously represented England at U20s and is a current Loughborough University student. She and was another prominent figure in reaching the BUCS campaign when she scored a try in the final. The 21-year-old made her Lightning debut in November 2022 and has 18 appearances to her name, scoring two tries.
Tighthead prop Adjei-Ansere, 22, joined Lightning from Buckingham Swans towards the end of 2023 and made her PWR debut in the final round of the season against Saracens at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
“We’re really fortunate to have secured five talented, high potential young players who have already made an impact for us during the 2023/24 season,” said Lightning head coach Nathan Smith.
“Each of these players have made huge strides forwards but still have enormous growth potential with us and I am looking forward to working with them into the new season.”
The latest five re-signings follow previous announcements that Abby Duguid, Emily Scarratt, Kathryn Treder, Helen Nelson, Rachel Malcolm, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Megan Davey, Sadia Kabeya, Bo Westcombe-Evans, Lilli Ives Campion, Catherine O’Donnell, Carmela Morrall and Lia Green had extended their contracts.
Lightning have also confirmed four new signings in Alev Kelter, Alicia Maude, Elis Martin and Anne Young, with more new arrivals and re-signings to be announced this summer.
Loughborough Lightning season tickets for the 2024/24 Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season are available now priced from just £40* adults and £20* children. For more information, please click HERE.
