Saints star Rotheram’s life in league

St Helens full-back Rebecca Rotheram lifts the lid on how rugby league has always played a big part in her life; watch the Super League double-header involving St Helens and Leeds Rhinos’ women’s and men’s teams on Thursday live on Sky Sports Arena from 5pm

Rebecca Rotheram can barely remember a time when rugby league did not feature in her life in one way or another.

Now full-back for St Helens in the Betfred Women’s Super League, the 23-year-old has grown up around the game thanks to her father’s lifelong involvement as a player, coach and now administrator.

Being the daughter of Dave Rotheram, the RFL’s chief on-field officer, meant her and her sister Jess were not only regulars in attendance during his time on the coaching staffs of London Broncos and St Helens, but also got behind-the-scenes access most others can only dream of.

Most notably, that included the 2004 Challenge Cup final in Cardiff where Saints defeated old rivals Wigan Warriors and the proud father got a picture with his daughters and the trophy. But although she got to meet her favourite player too, it was not all fun for Rebecca.

“I actually remember being really cranky that day – I was fuming,” Rotheram told Sky Sports.

“The dresses me and my sister had on, my Nan made them, and they must have been a surprise because I remember being really angry I had trainers on and not sandals, like any five-year-old would.

“[Former St Helens forward] Nick Fozzard was my favourite player and I got to meet him that day, so that was pretty cool.

“It was a good day out because it was in Cardiff as well and then Dad brought the trophies into school, so I was the cool