Barrow Raiders Ladies’ first confirmed signing for the 2022 Betfred Women’s Super League season has a wealth of experience from the rugby union code.
Claire Hutchinson joins having played rugby union for Waterloo in Liverpool for 10 years, making 150 appearances playing within the Championship and three years in the Premiership.
She has played at county and regional level in rugby union, and first began playing rugby in Barrow at Furness Rugby Union Club.
Hutchinson becomes the first announcement following the successful trials at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium, with more than 60 players in attendance to try and earn a spot in the squad for the club’s inaugural season in Super League.
“I started playing my rugby in Barrow, so it’s great to have the opportunity to play back in the town again,” she said.
“I am looking forward to see what I can do moving across to rugby eague and I am excited for the new challenge that Barrow Raiders will give me in the Super League.
“It’s great to have Amanda (Wilkinson) on board with her wealth of experience within the coaching world and I’m excited to see what she can do for the team.
“I feel like the club has the set up and the ability to put a stamp on women’s rugby league in Cumbria at a competitive level. I can’t wait to get stuck in and see what we can do!”
On her first recruit since being appointed new head coach, Amanda Wilkinson said: “I’ve not had the pleasure of coaching Claire before but I was instantly impressed with her ability at the trials to play both in attack and defence.
“Claire comes with a wealth of rugby union experience and I’m looking forward to coaching her. She is such an athlete with great skills and strength and I’m excited about coaching her through the transition from union to league.
“Claire will be a valuable player for us this season. She is another local lady who will get the opportunity to play for Barrow where her rugby passion began.”
On the successful trials, Wilkinson added: “It was a great day for Women’s Rugby League, especially in Cumbria. To attract such a great number of ladies of mixed age and ability from rugby league and other sports was fantastic.
“We had over 60 ladies all wanting to represent Barrow Raider Ladies in the Super League for 2022.”
