Jodie Cunningham on winning Woman of Steel award

The former Cardinal Newman High School student picked up the Woman of Steel award after another stellar year in the Betfred Women's Super League with St Helens.

The 29-year-old was named as the winner ahead of fellow Warringtonian and Saints teammate Emily Rudge, Leeds Rhinos' Fran Goldthorp and York City Knights pair Rhiannion Marshall and Sinead Peach.

Cunningham is the third winner of the award – Castleford's Georgia Roche won the inaugural prize in 2018 while the 2019 award went to Leeds' Courtney Winfield-Hill and it could be just the start of an excellent few weeks for the loose forward.

Having already scooped the Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield, she will be part of the Saints side aiming to complete a treble by beating Leeds in Sunday's Women's Super League Grand Final at Headingley.

She is also set to play a big part for England in their season-ending Test against France in Perpignan on October 23.

“I’m passionate about the development of women’s rugby league, and that’s one of the reasons winning this award means so much,” said Cunningham.

“I’ve loved the game all my life and I’ve been fortunate to be involved at a time when the women’s game is making amazing progress.

“It was a frustrating time for all of us in 2020 but at Saints we worked so hard as a group to make sure we were ready to hit the ground running in 2021.

“So far things couldn’t have gone any better with the Challenge Cup win and finishing on top of the table – and we’re all looking forward to the Grand Final, which should be a fantastic occasion.

“It’s a real honour to be named Woman of Steel, especially when you look at the quality of players on the shortlist, and the two players who have won the award previously.”

Cunningham with her St Helens teammate and fellow Warringtonian Emily Rudge. Picture by SWPix.com