Jodie Cunningham (born 5 December 1991) is an English rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback or loose forward at international level for England and domestically for St Helens in the Women's Super League.
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Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 5 December 1991 Warrington, Cheshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback, Loose forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 11 March 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cunningham started paying rugby while a pupil at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, Warrington and was selected to play for England while still in the sixth-form and playing for Warrington Ladies RC.[3][4] In 2011, Cunningham was in the Warrington team that won the Championship Final of the Women's Rugby League Conference.[5]
While a student at Leeds University,[6] Cunningham played in the 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup and joined Thatto Heath Crusaders and was a member of the team that won the Challenge Cup in four successive seasons from 2013 to 2016.[7][8]
Cunningham was vice-captain of the England team in the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup and in March 2018 Cunningham became a member of the newly-formed St Helens women's team, though she missed most of the 2018 season due to rehabilitation after surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during the 2017 season.[9][10]
For the 2019 season, Cunningham was appointed co-captain of the St Helens side alongside Tara Jones[7] With the 2020 season cancelled, 2021 saw Cunningham appointed captain of the team and she led the side to the first treble since the creation of the Women's Super League.[11] Cunningham was also named 2021 Woman of Steel.[12]
Cunningham worked as community engagement lead for the organisers of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup as well as being an ambassador for the women's tournament.[13]
Cunningham was appointed as the RFL's National Women’s and Girls’ Development Manager in November 2021.[14] In January 2024 she left that post to take up a new post with St Helens as head of women’s pathways and performance.[15]
2022 saw St Helens retain the Challenge Cup with Cunningham scoring a try in the final against Leeds Rhinos.[16] In the Super League Cunningham captained St Helens to second place in the league but the team were unable to repeat their 2021 successes losing in the play-off semi-final to eventual Grand Final winners Leeds.[17]
In April 2023, Cunningham was named as captain of the England team, succeeding St Helens teammate Emily Rudge.[18]
References edit
- ^ "Jodie Cunningham". St.Helens R.F.C. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Player Summary: Jodie Cunningham". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "School 'besties' are squad mates for England Lionesses in Women's Rugby League World Cup". Warrington Guardian. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "England name young squad for women's internationals - 14th July 2009 SportFocus news". Sport Focus. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "RLC Women's Final". RFL. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Prominent - sport - Leeds Alumni Online - University of Leeds". Leeds alumni online. Leeds University. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Jodie Cunningham on choosing rugby over medicine". Sky Sports. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Critchley, Mike (8 June 2021). "Jodie Cunningham's delight at Saints' landmark Challenge Cup win". St Helens Star. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Parsons, Mike (12 October 2017). "World Cup selection 'the icing on the cake' for Cunningham". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Eades, John (25 May 2021). "Heroes of Hospitality: Jodie Cunningham". The Daimani Journal. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "St Helens complete historic treble". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Women's Super League Grand Final preview: Treble-chasing St Helens to tackle 'relentless' Leeds Rhinos". Sky Sports. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Williams, Matthew (27 August 2020). "Rugby League World Cup looks to expand game beyond its traditional heartlands". Sport Business. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Jodie Cunningham appointed RFL National Women's and Girls' Development Manager". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (8 March 2024). "Jodie Cunningham outlines long and short-term vision for St Helens women after historic pay deal". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Women's Challenge Cup final: St Helens come back to beat Leeds Rhinos and retain trophy". Sky Sports. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Highlights: Saints Women suffer Semi Final defeat". St.Helens R.F.C. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Jodie Cunningham named as new England Women captain ahead of mid-season Test against France". Sky Sports. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.