Six-time winner Jodie Cunningham will be looking to make it 'seven heaven' this Saturday when St Helens face Leeds Rhinos in the eagerly anticipated 2023 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Speaking at a recent media event, the England skipper revealed she is relishing the opportunity to lead her side out onto the hollowed turf, in what will be the first-ever Women’s Final to be contested at the historic venue.
“I still don’t think it’s real,” said Cunningham.
“We’re out there (pitch side) and to think us girls are going to get the chance to walk out at Wembley and to play on that pitch - it's just outstanding. I can’t wait now – it can’t come quick enough!
“This is beyond my wildest dreams of anything I ever thought was possible for the women’s game. I’ve played in many Challenge Cup Finals, but nothing will even remotely compare to what this will be like on the 12th of August.
“For me I’m grateful. Grateful to still be playing the game and still getting the opportunities to be playing in games in like this. Hopefully, there’s many more to come, but I’m just taking hold of every single second.”
For the St Helens star, this weekend’s showcase isn’t just an opportunity to make history, it’s the culmination of a remarkable personal journey that has seen her evolve as one of the game’s most established stars at an exciting point in its history.
Cunningham added: “It feels a long time coming, it does sort of feel like the endpoint, but then at the same time it feels like the start.
“If this is where we’re at now then (women’s rugby league) it’s only going to get bigger and better. For me, it’s nice because a lot of the younger girls are saying ‘you deserve this’.
“You know, (it’s nice for) some of the older girls who’ve been around, who have played in those parks where nobody bothered turning up, there’d be people walking their dogs across the pitch when you’re playing in a final, and to then get to play at Wembley – I think the younger girls appreciate how hard we’ve worked.
“We appreciate all of the players that have gone previously in generations prior to us who got us to this point as well, so we’re doing it for everyone.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of women’s rugby league and hopefully I’ve still got a few years left in it.”
Cunningham has plied her trade with the Saints since the side’s formation back in 2018, and whilst recent seasons at the Totally Wicked Stadium have brought success, it hasn’t always been plain sailing.
She concluded: “I think this St Helens squad is something special; obviously we started as St Helens in 2018 and it wasn’t easy at first.
“I think everyone just assumes that St Helens have always won these trophies. It took us a long time to and then we had a breakout year in 2021 where we lifted our first trophy, and actually took all three.
“So for us the Challenge Cup is special. For me the Challenge Cup, particularly, is really special. This is how I fell in love with rugby league; this tournament, going as Champ Schools, being a part of these games, getting paraded at half time. I think St Helens as a squad are really special and I think we’ve now learnt how to turn up in big games as well. Across the board we’ve got big game players who I think will be ready for this game more than anything.”
St Helens face Leeds Rhinos in the 2023 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 12 August at Wembley Stadium as part of a triple-header finals day. Tickets are selling fast, with prices starting from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s. Click here to purchase yours now.
