Leeds Rhinos Women give three rising Academy stars first opportunity

Leeds Rhinos Women have announced that young stars Lill Seal and Pauliane Wambalu have been elevated from the Academy to the first team ahead of the 2026 season and last year’s Academy Player of the Year, Amelia Hirst, will be on a transition schedule training with both the first team and the U19s.

The trio will still be able to play for the Under-19s but have been rewarded with this opportunity to further their development alongside the first team.

 Wambalu joined the Rhinos from Dewsbury Moor and Seal from Greetland Allrounders and both have progressed from the Rhinos Scholarship.  Hirst, a lifelong Rhinos fan, played her junior rugby at Stanningley before joining the Scholarship.

Leeds Rhinos Women's head coach Lois Forsell said: "Lill and Pauliane are two players who have really impressed in the Academy and are chomping at the bit for what comes next. They need to be challenged and I think that being in the Women’s environment week in week out will do that and hopefully we will see them represent the first team in 2026.  Lill was a young player ambassador with the RFL when I was player ambassador, so it’s full circle moment for us both.  She is one of the best players to come through our junior pathway so I’m excited to see how she progresses in the first team environment.

"Pauliane is a very exciting young forward who has impressed everyone on the coaching staff and we are delighted to give her this opportunity.  She is aggressive and dynamic and it will be good for her to step up and continue to learn and develop.

“Amelia was outstanding last year and won our Academy Player of the Year.  She will be transitioning between the 19s and the Women’s team.  She’s developing as an athlete as well as a player and so giving her that exposure will be really good and no doubt we will see a lot more of her in the new year for the Women’s group.

“The three players were chosen because of their athletic capabilities and what they are like as people.  They are committed and are driven and they have competitive desire.  They want to be the best versions of themselves and want to push on.  They are looking forward to it and we are looking forward to working with them.“We start pre-season next week in good shape.  It has been great to have retained the majority of our squad, with only three players leaving and we hope to make further additions before the start of the season.”