Barrow Raiders Ladies duo Emma Hutchinson and Sam Norman will miss the 2025 season to go travelling.
The pair have featured heavily for the club over recent years and will be sorely missed.
Hutchinson arrived at the club in August 2022, joining twin sister Claire who was already part of the Raiders Ladies first team squad.
Despite having no prior experience playing rugby league, Hutchinson soon developed a talent for the sport and has established herself as a mainstay of the team in recent times.
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Over the last two years, she has scored 15 tries in 29 appearances for the club.
Also embarking on an exciting new adventure outside of rugby is versatile back Norman, who has been with the Raiders Ladies since the outset and played under the team’s previous guise of Barrow Island.
She added her name to the Raiders history books in May 2022 when she scored the club’s first-ever try in Group 2 of the Betfred Women’s Super League.
She subsequently helped the Raiders Ladies secure promotion to Group 1 via the play-offs last year and has made herself at home in the top flight of the women’s game, scoring six tries in 16 appearances.
While disappointed to lose players of such quality, we wish Emma and Sam well in their travels together.
Barrow Ladies head coach Amanda Wilkinson said: “Losing two starting backs for any team is a big deal.
“Emma joined us from rugby union and soon gelled with the team, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.
“She brings such a great attitude and commitment, and I have seen Emma grow into a confident rugby league player.
“Sam has been a key player during my time at Barrow, developing each season and playing full-back, centre and wing, doing all three effectively.
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“She will be missed, not only for her skill in attack and her gritty defence, but for the wonderful personality she brings to the team.
“I wish them all the best on their travels and am sure they will be back one day.”
The club will be announcing details of upcoming women’s trials taking place at the Northern Competitions Stadium in due course.
Trials have always been popular occasions, and previous attendees have gone on to secure first team deals and feature in the Women’s Super League.
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