Sophie Robinson, Placements and Employability Officer at Leeds Trinity University, will play at Wembley stadium in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 8 June.
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Having been part of the squad since its debut season in 2018, Sophie is a key member of the Leeds Rhinos women’s team which is aiming to add a third Challenge Cup to its honours list.
The Rhinos qualified for the final after beating Wigan Warriors 34-20 in the last round on Sunday 19 May. In a repeat of the 2023 final, they’ll take on St. Helens in what is only the second women’s final to be staged at Wembley.
Last year, the Rhinos lost out 22-8, however Sophie scored one of her side’s two tries in the match.
Sophie, who joined Leeds Trinity in September 2023 to help students source and secure placement and work opportunities, with a focus in the School of Sport and Wellbeing, said: “I am so excited to be playing at Wembley again. It was such a great experience to play there last year so to do it again is special. It is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world and every opportunity to play there is something I will remember forever.
“For me personally and as a team, one of the main goals this season is to win the Challenge Cup. We were all disappointed to not get the win last year and I don’t want to feel like that again. We have strength across the team and know what we need to do to get the win on Saturday. I think losing last year has made everyone more determined to make sure we walk off the pitch winners this time. The girls and I will give everything to make sure we do. We started our pre-season back in November and have worked hard all year so to win the first piece of silverware on offer in 2024 would be a great reward for all our hard work and dedication.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in finals before, however I have not yet had the experience of lifting the trophy on the balcony at Wembley Stadium. For me, that is one experience I’m missing in my playing career.”
The Women’s Challenge Cup final gets underway at 11:45am on Saturday 8 June and will be available to watch on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off in tribute to Leeds Rhinos and rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE, who passed away on Sunday 2 June following his four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
For more information on the Careers+Placements service at Leeds Trinity, visit the University website.
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