Standing out from the pack Photograph: Bryan Fowler

How would you feel if we told you that some of our sport students were in the running to compete at a World Cup in 2026?

Impressed? No doubt. Surprised? Maybe. Disbelieving? Possibly. Still, it’s true. Some of our BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science students are vying for squad places at the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup. Form and injuries permitting, they could well be heading for Australia, home of the current holders, and Papua New Guinea next year.

It would be a fitting high note for four of our students who have had a pretty eventful 2025.

Isabel Rowe, Ruby Hunter and Jenna Foubister played for the triumphant Wigan Warriors in the Women’s Super League Grand Final in October 2025, while Beri Salihi rucked and rolled as a fullback for defeated finalists St Helens.

It was a surreal experience, said halfback Isabel – Izzy to friends and team-mates:

“To play for my childhood club with my best mates in front of a record crowd was a dream. It was a lot of pressure but the whole team really helped to calm nerves and winning felt amazing. I get on well with the Saints girls so thankfully there’s no rivalry off the field.”

Beri was playing in her second grand final. She found she could enjoy this one more, having learned to conquer the nerves and manage the pressure of a big occasion:

“Of course there was rivalry, but the game meant so much to me. Wigan was my old team and a lot of the girls I’ve grown up playing with and against. On the pitch we all wanted to do everything we could to allow our team to win, but off the pitch we’re all actually good friends.”

Beri isn’t just paying lip service to friendship and camaraderie – she cites meeting new friends as a highlight of her University experience. And she’ll be joining Izzy, Ruby and Jenna next season, reuniting with Wigan in the hope that it’ll be a springboard for a push into the full World Cup squad. It would be the next step after representing feeder squad England Knights.

Hopefully she’ll be joining Izzy, who made her England debut at 17. Voted Super League Young Player of The Year in 2025 Izzy also has her sights set on 2026 and the World Cup, where she’ll get a better idea of the rugby league life down under, a place she’d like to ply her trade at some point in her burgeoning career.

But first she wants to complete her degree in Sport & Exercise Science at Edge Hill University, alongside her fellow Super League grand finalists, where Izzy, Beri, Ruby and Jenna have also been awarded Sports Scholarships in recognition of their sporting talent, dedication and achievements. Their reward is money towards training and competition expenses, along with other sports-related benefits such as free access to Edge Hill’s sports facilities and personal training. We want to give all our students every opportunity to maximise their potential, and scholarships across a range of categories help us to help you.

The course itself looks at human performance from a scientific perspective, and takes advantage of the University’s extensive resources to enable students to apply theory to practice. Students get hands-on in labs dedicated to physiology, biomechanics, psychology, strength & conditioning, and functional rehabilitation, while on-site facilities – sports halls, pitches, athletics track, swimming pool, gym – allow students to experiment in the arena of real life.

Beri is very clear this degree ticked all the boxes:

“I want to study sport and exercise science to improve as an athlete and learn how to get the best out of my career in sport. I’ve suffered from injuries, concussions, gone through tough times such as losing finals or being under pressure. I’ve had to learn about nutrition and strength and conditioning to be able to compete in the women’s super league at 17. But I’ve also seen the younger girls I’ve inspired so far in my rugby league journey, and I hope to be able to use my degree to help grow the women’s game.”

Both Izzy and Beri admit that juggling their rugby with a full-time undergraduate degree is not straightforward. But I guess no-one thinks achieving professional-level sporting success is going to be a walk in the park.

It’s all about the routine, staying organised, say Izzy and Beri, sneaking in gym sessions between study breaks. It helps that Edge Hill’s sports facilities are so accessible – it’s five minutes from lecture theatre too gym (for a professional athlete, anyway).

Born and bred in this corner of the north west, aka Rugby League-land, the sport is in their DNA.

Izzy grew up a Wigan fan, most likely the men’s team. Undeterred, she began her ascent to the top ranks of the women’s game with Ashton Bears, before making the step up with Wigan Warriors.

Six miles down the road in Newton-le-Willows, Beri was locked in a sporting love triangle, with rugby (both codes), football and athletics all competing for her affections. She fully converted to egg-chasing, though, and began her own journey in rugby league stronghold St Helens. Thatto Heath led to Leigh Miners, before Wigan Warriors’ academy, a first-team debut and two major semi-finals, before her move back to St Helens.

Izzy also excelled, winning a domestic treble with Wigan, before that teenage England debut. Beri meanwhile won a Challenge Cup with Saints in 2024, but narrowly missed out on the Women’s Super League title.

So what advice would they give to any girls looking to get into rugby?

“Give it a go,” encourages Izzy. “You never know how it’s going to go. Don’t feel intimidated, just give it 100%. I’ve met some of the best people in my life through playing the sport.”

“Remember to have fun and enjoy it,” adds Beri. “Rugby league is for anyone and it’s important to do what you love. Enjoying it will you get the best out of you.”

And she’s taking her own advice, it seems:

“For the 2026 season I’ve moved back to Wigan Warriors,” continues Beri. “I know breaking into this Wigan side won’t be easy after the fantastic season they’ve had, but it’s a challenge I’m excited for and one I know will bring out the best in me.”

It’s testament to Beri’s ambition and competitive spirit that the 2025 season – one in which the team made it to major finals and came second in the league – she describes as ‘a difficult year’. Playing against – and studying alongside – Izzy, Ruby and Jenna has clearly pressed certain buttons as she chases that winner’s medal.

With no fears about peaking too soon, both players just want to be able to continue to play high calibre rugby, preferably leading to more shiny rewards. But for now they’re focused on that World Cup.

But they continue to keep their eyes on the other prize – a graduation certificate. With a BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science Izzy has her mind set on a career in sport biomechanics or psychology – and managing her own gym is a longer term dream. Beri would like to give back to the game that helped shape her, combining her degree with pro sport experience as a sport scientist, preferably for a Women’s Super League team.

But whether or not we’re welcoming World Cup winners back to University next year, we’re already celebrating the talent, guts, determination and success of students who stand out from the pack.

December 8, 2025