Rochdale rugby league player chosen for England Community Lions Ladies

A Rochdale rugby league player who grew up as the only girl on a team of boys has been selected for the England Community Lions Ladies rugby team’s upcoming tour to Serbia.

Morgan Pearson, 18, has been chosen for the squad, beating over 140 women to the position.

Morgan grew up playing rugby league from the age of five, after joining Mayfield in 2010. There, she developed her skills on a boys’ team and remained the only female player on the team until 2016.

Between the ages of 11 and 17, Morgan also played rugby union for Littleborough before returning to rugby league, joining the newly formed Rochdale Hornets ladies’ team when she was 16.

From here, she followed in her local role model Paige Travis’ footsteps and joined the St Helen’s U19 squad. More recently, she has registered with Leigh Leopards Ladies, and usually plays as a hooker or number nine.

 

 

Morgan has represented Lancashire County Rugby Union at U15 and U18 levels and was nominated to trial for the Community Lionesses by Hornets’ head coach Ben Bird who felt she had the potential to make the ladies’ squad, although she narrowly missed out last year.

Morgan’s mum, Sharon, said: “Morgan recently started university and continues to enjoy playing rugby.

“She has a GoFundMe page to help with the costs and would appreciate any support in helping her represent England Community Lionesses; thank you.”

The England Community Lions Ladies will undertake an eight-day tour to Serbia on 8 October.

Donations to help Morgan represent the team can be made via GoFundMe:

• www.gofundme.com/f/england-community-lionesses-tour-2023