The Saints have partnered with Edge Hill to regularly access world-class facilities for training and recovery, providing the First Team and age-development squads with a high-performance training base often not available to non-professional teams.
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 [email protected].
February 26, 2026
