USA forward Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele has joined Loughborough Lightning from local rivals Leicester Tigers. The 25-year-old from Tacoma, Washington, made her senior international debut in March 2023 against Spain and has moved onto 18 caps during the recent Pacific Four Series. Sagapolu didn’t play rugby until the age of 18 before progressing her career
Prolific try-scoring hooker Kathryn Treder has put pen to paper on an extended contract at Loughborough Lightning. Since arriving from Darlington Mowden Park in 2023, the 29-year-old has crossed the line a remarkable 19 times in 27 games. Her haul of nine tries in the 2024/25 Premiership Women’s Rugby was bettered by only seven other
Loughborough Lightning are delighted to confirm the signing of USA international Tahlia Brody from Leicester Tigers. The powerful back row recently moved to 19 caps for her country during the Pacific Four Nations series, having made her debut against Spain in March 2023. Brody’s rugby journey started as an 18-year-old while at SUNY Geneseo in
Loughborough Lightning have locked in USA international Bulou Mataitoga on an extended contract. The versatile back joined the African Violets in 2021 and made her 50th appearance during February’s Premiership Women’s Rugby 2024/25 final round encounter with Trailfinders Women, at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. Capable in the centres, wing and at fullback, the 31-year-old
Loughborough Lightning have re-signed international forward Becky Boyd ahead of the 2025/26 season. Second/back row Boyd was earlier today named in the Scotland extended training squad for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, alongside her club colleagues Leia Brebner-Holden, Helen Nelson, Anne Young and Elis Martin. Boyd, 21, has enjoyed an incredible breakthrough campaign, featuring
Loughborough Lightning have re-signed Scotland international Leia Brebner-Holden ahead of the 2025/26 season. The 22-year-old was named in Scotland’s Rugby World Cup extended training squad earlier today alongside her Lightning teammates Helen Nelson, Anne Young, Elis Martin and Becky Boyd. Brebner-Holden arrived at Lightning in October 2024 from fellow Premiership Women’s Rugby side Gloucester-Hartpury, and
Loughborough Lightning can today confirm the departures of Lucy Weaver, Katherine Baverstock, Amelie Anstead and Grace Deane ahead of the 2025/26 season. Scrum-half Weaver, pictured above (#111) made 17 Lighting appearances and prop Baverstock (#116) made 11 appearances over three seasons with the African Violets, while also playing prominent roles for the Loughborough University side. Winger
A tremendous all-round performance saw Team Bath Netball inflict only a second defeat of the NXT Gen League season on table-topping Loughborough Lightning after an epic contest that gripped another capacity crowd at the Team Bath Arena. The Blue & Gold shrugged off the disappointment of seeing a big early lead overturned as they went
Loughborough Lightning are delighted to announce that Rachel Taylor will join the club’s coaching team ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season. The 41-year-old arrives with a wealth of experience, having spent four years with Sale Sharks, rising to the role of head coach. Taylor made history as becoming the first female coach of
Red Roses international Lilli Ives Campion has committed her club future to Loughborough Lightning after signing an extended contract. The 21-year-old second row is the joint sixth-highest appearance maker in Lightning history, tied on 66 with Helen Nelson, having made her debut as a 17-year-old against Saracens in April 2021. Ives Campion has progressed through
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