Prolific try-scoring winger Bo Westcombe-Evans has committed her future to Loughborough Lightning by signing a new contract.
Since progressing through Loughborough’s BUCS team and making her Lightning debut in 2021, the 21-year-old has crossed the line 21 times in 33 outings in an African Violet shirt.
Westcombe-Evans, who is in the final year of a Sports Management degree at Loughborough University, has already matched her total scores for both of her previous two seasons scoring seven tries in 11 outings so far in the 2023/24 campaign.
The St Albans native pointed to the impact made by Head Coach Nathan Smith, who arrived at Lightning last summer, as a key reason behind her development and desire to remain with the squad moving forward.
“I think I have come on and progressed so much during my time with Lightning, especially in the last year I feel I have developed so much more as a player,” she said. “I used to play a bit of centre as well and now I feel like I have made my position as a winger.
“The past few years have been great for my development and that is one of the main reasons I am continuing here; because I can see how much I have developed in the past couple of months with Nathan being the coach, I’d like to continue that.”
Only an unfortunate injury in the build-up to the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby match in December at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens against Bristol Bears prevented Westcombe-Evans from appearing in all 12 of Lightning’s competitive fixtures so far this season.
Head coach Smith is a firm believer in the winger’s talents and believes the best is yet to come.
“Bo has been exceptional since I joined Lightning,” said Smith. “She develops week on week, from the player that started in the Prem Cup, and now establishing herself as a top Allianz PWR player.
“I think re-siging Bo highlights the intention of Lightning moving forward. We want to develop talent and keep them here. Bo graduates at the end of the year, and I want to keep these sorts of players.
“Bo has had a great year so far, and she is only going to get better. I am excited to see what she can do over the course of the next few years.”
With thanks to Loughborough Lightning
