Thirty young female Rugby League players from twelve clubs have been chosen to take part in England Rugby League’s Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) for 2026-2028.
DiSE is the first step on the England Performance Pathway, a national programme for Year 12 and 13 girls who have the potential to play at the highest level of the game – representing England Rugby League with the Knights or the Women’s senior team.
So far, a total of fifteen DiSE graduates have showcased the national pathway by going on to represent the England Women’s Senior team; Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Keara Bennett, Ruby Bruce (both Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie), Katie Mottershead, Erin Stott (both St Helens) Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Isabel Rowe, Molly Jones, Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams, Ellise Derbyshire and Grace Banks (all Wigan Warriors).
This weekend also saw current DiSE participant - 17-year-old Amelie Lenham - produce a Player of the Match performance for York Valkyrie in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
The Rugby Football League’s DiSE Manager, Conor Meese, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome a new intake of players into the DiSE programme. The continued growth of the women’s and girls’ game has raised standards across the board, creating a highly competitive selection process and highlighting the increasing depth of talent coming through our system.
“It has also been encouraging to see more players progress from the pathway into the international environment, providing clear examples of what can be achieved through hard work and commitment. Combined with the expanded development opportunities available across the women’s game, there has never been a better time for aspiring young players to be part of Rugby League and pursue their ambitions at the highest level.”
To enhance the experience and to further aid player development, the DiSE programme is seeking a programme sponsor to help support the progression of the programme. Please direct any interest to; The Rugby Football League’s DiSE manager, Conor Meese on Conor.Meese@rfl.co.uk.
2026-28’ DiSE cohort:
Abbey Buckley (Drighlington / Rochdale Mayfield), Alannah Maynard (Drighlington), Alisha Dooley (Siddal), Beau Stringer (Drighlington), Daisy Kaye (Drighlington / Shaw Cross), Ella Simpson (Drighlington), Ffion Coward (Oulton Raidettes), Francheska Richardson (Egremont Rangers), Georgia Houghton (Pilkington Recs), Hallie Segar (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Heather-May Sloan-Spiers (Leigh Miners Rangers), Holly Sargent (Rose Bridge Pantheresses), Isla Shackleton (Drighlington), Isla Lee (Egremont Rangers / Warrington Girls), Keira Holden (Siddal), Kylah Howarth (Drighlington/ Rochdale Mayfield), Laura Mathie (Drighlington), Leah Unwin (Bentley), Libby Nicholson (Heworth), Lottie Hussey (Hull Dockers / Oulton Raidettes), Lottie Johnson (Drighlington), Lydia Jones (Knottingley Mustangs), Lydia Kelsey (Drighlington), Maddison Vaughan (Leigh Miners Rangers), Megan Watson (Leigh Miners Rangers), Mia Colton (Bentley), Niamh Mooney (Leigh Miners Rangers / Rochdale Mayfield), Olivia Stead (Oulton Raidettes), Savannah Mafi (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Tia Anderson-Glover (Thatto Heath Crusaders)
