The squad has also benefitted from access to the University’s elite support services – including sports science insights and musculoskeletal assessments to combat injury and allow safer rehabilitation – which help the players reach their full potential.

Derek Hardman, joint head coach with Craig Richards, believes the partnership has had a positive impact on players and staff.

He said: “We’re really blessed to have such a great facility on our doorstep and we’re really grateful to Edge Hill for supporting us.

“The facilities are second to none and as a group and a squad, with the nature of what we are looking for, this is perfect.”

Jodie Cunningham, club captain and head of women’s pathways and performance, praised the “fantastic” facilities available for the first-team and academy sides to utilise.

Speaking at a recent visit to the Ormskirk campus, she said: “Edge Hill have been so supportive of our women’s section and our pathway for our academy teams and under 16s, so it’s just great to get out on the field here, ready for the season ahead. 

“It’s such a good sports university and having professional teams like ourselves here just proves how good the facilities are and how passionate Edge Hill is about encouraging young girls to take part in sport.

“We’ve got girls from the team who study here so being able to see that relationship and how fantastic the University is, is brilliant.”

Edge Hill students Alyx Bridge, Caitlin Barrow, Amy Taylor and Lily Byrne are all members of the ‘Red V’ squad and are all combining rugby with their academic studies.

Back row player Alyx, who studies BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, said: “Having access to Edge Hill’s pitches means we’ve been able to play 13-a-side and under 19s on grass pitches, even though we train at night.”

Caitlan, who is studying towards a BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology degree, said: “There is such a wide range of facilities, like the video room, so we can share opinions, see different strategies and how we can utilise each other’s skills, putting it into practice on the field.”

Half Back Amy, a PGCE Secondary Teacher Training student, added: “Edge Hill staff are all very supportive of our study and playing rugby alongside, it’s really helpful to have the University behind you.”

Edge Hill’s Department of Sport and Physical Activity provides a variety of pathways to meaningful careers in sport, from teaching in schools to coaching elite athletes, sports development to sports therapy. Academic opportunities are backed up by outstanding facilities including the Sport Centre, a 25-metre swimming pool, competition-standard athletics track, sports halls, and grass and 3G pitches, which are all available for public use.

Andrew Hampson, sports services manager, said: “We work very closely with St Helens, and it’s brilliant to see this partnership continue to grow, particularly with several Edge Hill students proudly representing the club as players.

“Having an elite women’s rugby team regularly training at our Sport Centre not only highlights the standard of our facilities but also reinforces the clear pathways available within the women’s game.

“Our Grounds Maintenance team also do an exceptional job in keeping the grass pitches at an elite level, ensuring the players train on surfaces that meet the highest performance standards.

“By bringing elite sport into Edge Hill, we hope to inspire the next generation of female athletes and demonstrate what is possible in a truly world-class sporting environment.”

If your club is looking to enhance athlete performance, reduce injury risk and explore sports science support, contact edgehillsportadmin@edgehill.ac.uk.

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Edge Hill is in its fifth year of hosting swim! – led by Rebecca Adlington OBE and co-created with fellow Olympic swimmers Steve Parry MBE and Adrian Turner – which provides lessons for children up to the age of 11. 

Becky was full of praise for Edge Hill in her visit to the Sports Centre to present the award: 

“In awarding ‘Venue of the Year,’ we look at every metric and Edge Hill is a top performer. There’s a great, solid team, consistent positive reviews, few lesson cancellations, and swimmers and staff choose to stay with us.

“The facilities are fantastic too. Edge Hill has a big competition-size pool, which means we can take swimmers through the full range of our programme to Stage 8, where they leave as skilled swimmers; this isn’t possible in all venues.”

Andrew Hampson, Sports Services Manager, is incredibly proud of the accolade:

“Winning this award ahead of 26 other venues reinforces the exceptional quality of Edge Hill’s Sports Centre. We’ve worked tirelessly over the five years of our partnership with swim! to provide an outstanding swimming experience for everyone who walks through our doors. 

“To witness more than 900 children from across West Lancashire visiting the Sports Centre to learn such a vital life skill is truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing our commitment to the community by providing a top-quality swimming facility for years to come.” 

The commitment of Edge Hill staff was a key factor in the win, particularly the efforts of student swim! instructors like BA (Hons) Education and Sociology student Clare Parker.

The 21-year-old said: “I want to go into education and this hands-on experience will certainly help me with my job applications.

I’m learning what works for kids of different ages, including those with special educational needs. As part of my course, I’ve created a leaflet about autism and swimming because I’m so passionate about it. 

“Working with fellow students makes it really collaborative. We learn from and support each other. It means there’s always reliable people to cover shifts if needed.

Being a swim! teacher is also developing my skills in areas like time management. You’ve got a half-hour lesson, so you’ve got to make sure there’s focus and progress.”

Visit Swim@Edge Hill Uni for more information about lessons or job opportunities or email info@swim.co.uk for taster sessions. And Edge Hill’s Careers team can provide support and information for students looking for paid or voluntary work experience.

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