West Cumbrian prop forward Jodie Morley is the latest player to join the Barrow Raiders Ladies squad for the 2023 Super League season.
Morley played rugby league throughout her time at school and went on to represent Cumbria’s rugby union team at U15s and U18s level.
She also played for Wigan Warriors U19s and was previously coached by Barrow Ladies head coach Amanda Wilkinson.
Morley, who lives in Workington and works as a crisis recovery worker, has previously played for Barrow, prior to their promotion to the Betfred Women’s Super League.
When the club made the move up the rugby league ladder, she was forced to miss the 2022 season due to work commitments.
A subsequent return to rugby saw Morley play for Workington Zebra Finches’ rugby union side, but she has now made the decision to re-join her former club and return to the 13-woman code.
She also took part in the club’s recent open trials, alongside fellow new recruit Bethan Lloyd.
On her decision to rejoin Barrow, Morley said: “My heart is with rugby league and I wanted to get back into it this season if I could.
“I decided to give the trials a go, and straight away I saw that there was a lot of talent on show.
“But when I got a phone call from Amanda, I was shocked but absolutely over the moon to be back playing for Barrow in Super league.
“I’m up for a challenge and want to push myself. I’m most looking forward to being back on the pitch with such a great bunch of girls.”
Barrow Raiders Ladies head coach Amanda Wilkinson said: “Jodie is a strong, powerful and skillful forward who has a fantastic rugby brain.
“She is a team player that loves contact, and having coached Jodie previously at Wigan Warriors, I know what she has to offer and what strengths she will bring to the team.”
Meanwhile, Barrow have announced that half-back Cerys Rice has been promoted to the Raiders Ladies first team set-up.
Rice started playing rugby in 2015 but stepped away from the game a year later to focus on completing her veterinary nursing qualification.
She returned to the sport in January, linking up with the Barrow Ladies Reserves team.
Rice was a stand-out performer in that side, and her displays have earned her a promotion to the first team squad ahead of the 2023 Betfred Women’s Super League season.
“In my last year as a player for Barrow Ladies Reserves, I found a passion for rugby league and a support bubble in both the team, coaches and supporters like nothing I’ve known before,” she said.
“I decided early on in playing that the Barrow Ladies Super League team was my goal, and as a determined individual, I put in all my effort to reach that point.
“I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to play at Super League level, and intend on putting everything I have into working for this team.
“I am eager to take on the challenges that come with stepping up, and I’m keen to see how far this team and club can push me to develop as both a player and a person.”
Head coach Wilkinson said: “Cerys is an athlete with great attitude and commitment. She always stood out as a player when I watched her in training and playing for the reserves. She impressed me with her work rate and willingness to learn.
“She possesses so many natural qualities needed to succeed in the game, and I’m really looking forward to coaching her.”
