2024 Womens’ End of Season Awards Winners Revealed

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2024 Womens’ End of Season Awards Winners Revealed

Leigh Leopards Womens’ End of Season Awards 2024

Irish eyes were smiling as Leopards Women celebrated their magnificent season at the awards evening at the Leopards’ Den.

Ireland international Storm Cobain won the prestigious Woman of Steel, sponsored by Bolton Steel Structures Ltd.

The dynamic Storm scored 18 tries and kicked seven goals in her debut season in the Leopards second row, after moving from Bedford. She also represented her country in World Cup qualifying games alongside Leopards’ teammates Mairead Quinn, the captain, and Mollie Young.

But it was far from a one-woman effort as Kieron Purtill’s side achieved ‘Mission Impossible’ in reaching Super League in 2025.

Purtill’s side went unbeaten through their Championship North campaign and the beat Sheffield Eagles 46-6 in the grand final.

The following week they defeated Championship South winners London Broncos 22-18 in Birmingham.

There was one more hurdle to overcome. By beating Super League’s bottom club, Featherstone Rovers 34-16, in the Promotion Grand Final at St Helens the Leopards qualified for Super League in 2025.

32 players represented the Leopards in 2024, and the 13 debutants were each presented with their Heritage Numbers.

These are Gabi Leigh (31), Freya Turner (32), Sam Brazier (33), Storm Cobain (34), Abi Gordon (35), Eleanor Dainty (36), Georgia Mole (37), Maddie Price (38), Mollie Young (39), Evie Price-Horrocks (40), Megan Grace-Holding (41), Becky Greenfield (42) and Lucy Johnson (43).

Points machine Charlotte Melvin won the Coaches’ Player of the Year after contributing an incredible 282 points towards the promotion campaign, from 19 tries and 103 goals. She also became the first Leopard to score four tries in a women’s match, against Bradford Bulls.

Livewire hooker Kate Howard combined her medical studies with some inspiring performances as hooker, scoring 18 tries, to win Forward of the Year.

Leading try-scorer Hattie Dogus scored 26 tries in 22 games including five hat-tricks from the fullback position to win Back of the Year.

Leah Morris, who formed a superb halfback partnership with Rhianna Burke, and was chosen as Championship Young Player of the Year, capped a break-out season by being chosen for two awards.

Leah was chosen as Leopards’ Young Player of the Year and followed that up by winning the highly valued Players’ Player of the Year.

From a list of 186 tries scored throughout the season, many of them spectacular individual efforts, others the result of fine teamwork, Try of the Year was a difficult choice.

But that honour deservedly went to Claire Mullaney who showed great power and skill to score the match-winning try in the Championship Grand final against London Broncos just two minutes from time.

Big Hitter of the Year was Ireland international Mollie Young who combined the attacking power that brought her 20 tries with some superb defensive performances.

Mollie Young, Storm Cobain and Mairead Quinn each won Outstanding Achievement Awards by becoming the Leopards’ first Women’s internationals.

Charlotte Melvin was similarly honoured for her new goals and points records. By setting a new club record for tries Hattie Dogus was also a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Summary of Awards

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sponsored by Bents (presented by Stephen Quinn)

Charlotte Melvin

For new club records of 4 tries in a match, 103 goals and 282 points.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sponsored by iDuct Ltd (presented by Stephen Quinn)

Hattie Dogus

For a new club record 26 tries.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Sponsored by Atlas Plastics (presented by Stephen Quinn)

Mairead Quinn, Storm Cobain & Mollie Young