Jodie Cunningham
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Born | Warrington, Cheshire, England | 5 December 1991||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Fullback, Loose forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 11 March 2024 |
Jodie Cunningham (born 5 December 1991) is an English
Cunningham started paying rugby while a pupil at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, Warrington and was selected to play for England while still in the sixth-form and playing for Warrington Ladies RC.[3][4] In 2011, Cunningham was in the Warrington team that won the Championship Final of the Women's Rugby League Conference.[5]
While a student at
Cunningham was vice-captain of the England team in the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup and in March 2018 Cunningham became a member of the newly-formed St Helens women's team, though she missed most of the 2018 season due to rehabilitation after surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during the 2017 season.[9][10]
For the 2019 season, Cunningham was appointed co-captain of the St Helens side alongside
Cunningham worked as community engagement lead for the organisers of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup as well as being an ambassador for the women's tournament.[13]
Cunningham was appointed as the RFL's National Women’s and Girls’ Development Manager in November 2021.[14] In January 2024 she left that post to take up a new post with St Helens as head of women’s pathways and performance.[15]
2022 saw St Helens retain the Challenge Cup with Cunningham scoring a try in the final against Leeds Rhinos.[16] In the Super League Cunningham captained St Helens to second place in the league but the team were unable to repeat their 2021 successes losing in the play-off semi-final to eventual Grand Final winners Leeds.[17]
In April 2023, Cunningham was named as captain of the England team, succeeding St Helens teammate Emily Rudge.[18]
References
- ^ "Jodie Cunningham". St.Helens R.F.C. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Player Summary: Jodie Cunningham". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "School 'besties' are squad mates for England Lionesses in Women's Rugby League World Cup". Warrington Guardian. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "England name young squad for women's internationals - 14th July 2009 SportFocus news". Sport Focus. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "RLC Women's Final". RFL. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Prominent - sport - Leeds Alumni Online - University of Leeds". Leeds alumni online. Leeds University. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Jodie Cunningham on choosing rugby over medicine". Sky Sports. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Critchley, Mike (8 June 2021). "Jodie Cunningham's delight at Saints' landmark Challenge Cup win". St Helens Star. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Parsons, Mike (12 October 2017). "World Cup selection 'the icing on the cake' for Cunningham". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Eades, John (25 May 2021). "Heroes of Hospitality: Jodie Cunningham". The Daimani Journal. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "St Helens complete historic treble". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Women's Super League Grand Final preview: Treble-chasing St Helens to tackle 'relentless' Leeds Rhinos". Sky Sports. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Williams, Matthew (27 August 2020). "Rugby League World Cup looks to expand game beyond its traditional heartlands". Sport Business. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Jodie Cunningham appointed RFL National Women's and Girls' Development Manager". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (8 March 2024). "Jodie Cunningham outlines long and short-term vision for St Helens women after historic pay deal". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Women's Challenge Cup final: St Helens come back to beat Leeds Rhinos and retain trophy". Sky Sports. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Highlights: Saints Women suffer Semi Final defeat". St.Helens R.F.C. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Jodie Cunningham named as new England Women captain ahead of mid-season Test against France". Sky Sports. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.