Jodie Cunningham

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.

Jodie Cunningham
Personal information
Born (1991-12-05) 5 December 1991
Warrington, Cheshire, England
Playing information
PositionFullback, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018– St Helens 43 30 0 0 120
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009 England 28 10 0 0 40
Source: [1]
As of 14 October 2022

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.[2][3]

While a student at Leeds University,[4] 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.[5][6]

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.[7][8]

For the 2019 season, Cunningham was appointed co-captain of the St Helens side alongside Tara Jones[5] 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.[9] Cunningham was also named 2021 Woman of Steel.[10]

Cunningham works 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.[11]

Cunningham was appointed as the RFL's National Women’s and Girls’ Development Manager in November 2021.[12]

2022 saw St Helens retain the Challenge Cup with Cunningham scoring a try in the final against Leeds Rhinos.[13] 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.[14]

In April 2023, Cunningham was named as captain of the England team, succeeding St Helens teammate Emily Rudge.[15]

References
  1. "Jodie Cunningham". St.Helens R.F.C. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  2. "School 'besties' are squad mates for England Lionesses in Women's Rugby League World Cup". Warrington Guardian. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  3. "England name young squad for women's internationals - 14th July 2009 SportFocus news". Sport Focus. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  4. "Prominent - sport - Leeds Alumni Online - University of Leeds". Leeds alumni online. Leeds University. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  5. "Jodie Cunningham on choosing rugby over medicine". Sky Sports. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  6. Critchley, Mike (8 June 2021). "Jodie Cunningham's delight at Saints' landmark Challenge Cup win". St Helens Star. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  7. Parsons, Mike (12 October 2017). "World Cup selection 'the icing on the cake' for Cunningham". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  8. Eades, John (25 May 2021). "Heroes of Hospitality: Jodie Cunningham". The Daimani Journal. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  9. "St Helens complete historic treble". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  10. "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.
  11. Williams, Matthew (27 August 2020). "Rugby League World Cup looks to expand game beyond its traditional heartlands". Sport Business. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  12. "Jodie Cunningham appointed RFL National Women's and Girls' Development Manager". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  13. "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.
  14. "Highlights: Saints Women suffer Semi Final defeat". St.Helens R.F.C. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  15. "Jodie Cunningham named as new England Women captain ahead of mid-season Test against France". Sky Sports. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
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