Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Amy Hardcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 March 1989 Halifax, West Yorkshire, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 17 August 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amy Hardcastle (born 4 March 1989) [3] is an English rugby league player who plays at centre for Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Women's Super League.
Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Hardcastle first played rugby league for Siddal before taking time away from the game after having her daughter. On her return Siddal had disbanded their women's team so Hardcastle joined Bradford Bulls. [4] Over the next 10 years Hardcastle experienced considerable success as Bradford won the league title twice and the Challenge Cup once.
In 2020 Hardcastle left Bradford to join St Helens but did not make her first appearance for St Helens until 2021 as the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] In her first full season with St Helens, Hardcastle scored 23 tries in just 13 appearances. [1]
Hardcastle was first selected for the England national team in 2009 and played in both the 2013 and 2017 World Cup competitions. [6] As of March 2022 [update] Hardcastle has made 19 appearances for the national side, scoring 18 tries. [1]
When the NRL named its women's team of the decade in 2020, Hardcastle was the only English player to feature in the team. [7]
In November 2023, it was announced that Hardcastle had been appointed as the Women's and Girls Rugby League Development Officer at Halifax Panthers. [8]
Away from rugby league, Hardcastle is a healthcare assistant in the accident & emergency department at the Royal Halifax Infirmary. [9]
References
- ^ a b c "04| Amy Hardcastle". St.Helens R.F.C. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Player Summary: Amy Hardcastle". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Amy Hardcastle". National Rugby League. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive chat with Amy Hardcastle". Rugby League News. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ Yates, John (16 April 2021). "Saints women set for season opener against Bradford". St Helens Reporter. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Dacia England Focus | Amy Hardcastle". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ Alderman, Elgan (17 April 2021). "Amy Hardcastle: Working in A&E wore me down — now I can't wait to get back to rugby". The Times. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Hardcastle appointed as Women's and Girls Development Officer". Halifax Panthers. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ Tomas, Fiona; Davies, Gareth A.; Rowan, Kate (14 April 2020). "Five sportswomen turned key workers tell their stories: from the NHS front line to policing London - and keeping B&Q stocked up". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 March 2022.