Atherton: Ready for the challenge

• Wigan Warriors Women’s Mia-Jayne Atherton is relishing the opportunity in the first team.
• The Centre was promoted from the Women’s Academy set-up to be a part of Denis Bett’s squad.
• Atherton: “I want to be someone that the team can rely on.”

Wigan Warriors Women’s Mia-Jayne Atherton is ready to make her mark in the first team following her call up.

The Centre, who is deep into her first pre-season with the First team, was a standout player for the Women’s Academy in 2023, winning both the Academy Player of Steel and the Players’ Player Award last season.

On her personal accolades, Atherton said: “I went to the presentation not expecting anything. I think Players’ Player says a lot about my character, I am a team player with the girls, hopefully I can come into the first team now and do the same.”

She added: “I enjoy being a team player off the field and supporting everyone and making sure they have their head in the game, which is a big part of it.”

The 18-year-old has flourished in the Academy system, earning a call up to the England Community Lionesses squad for their recent tour of Serbia.

Speaking on her development through the academy, she said: “(t was) Really good. The coaches paid a lot of attention, especially on what you needed to work on. They pushed us to get better so we can move forward.

“They are very encouraging about moving forward and the aspiration has always been to go into the first team.”

On her first pre-season with the first team, she added: “It has been a big step up, but it’s the kind of challenge that I need in order to improve as a player. My targets going into 2024 are to improve my basic skills and just ensure that I can be an effective asset for the team.”

Wigan Warriors Women recently announced their 2024 Squad Numbers, which can be found HERE.

By Alumbir Nahal.