Leah Burke

Leah Burke
Personal information
Born (1998-06-11) 11 June 1998 (age 26)
Leigh, Lancashire, England
Playing information
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018– St Helens 59 63 0 0 252
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– England 6 6 0 0 24
Source: [1][2][3]
As of 18 November 2022

Leah Burke (born 11 June 1998)[3] is an England international rugby league footballer who plays at domestic level for St Helens. Burke plays on the wing.[4]

Born in Leigh, Lancashire Burke was an artistic gymnast for many years competing in several English championships.[5][6][7]

Diagnosed with a stress fracture in her lower back when she was 16, Burke retired from gymnastics. At 18 Burke went to Leeds Beckett University and started playing rugby union. At the suggestion of her sister, Rhianna, Burke went along to a trial rugby league session at St Helens and was signed by the club.[8] Burke made her debut for St Helens in the 2018 Women's Super League.[9] Since then Burke has been a regular in the St Helens side making 53 appearances by the end of the 2022 Women's Super League season and scoring 50 tries.[1]

In 2019 Burke was selected for the England team and made her international debut against Papua New Guinea in November 2019.[10] Burke's second international was in June 2022 against France.[11] Burke was also chosen for the England squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s scoring a try in England's first group game versus Papua New Guinea.[12]

Burke was chosen for the England squad for the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup and scored six tries in England's four matches, including a hat-trick against Papua New Guinea.[13][14]

In June 2023 Burke suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ended her season.[15]

  1. ^ a b "05| Leah Burke". St.Helens R.F.C. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Leah Burke". National Rugby League. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Player Summary: Leah Burke". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  4. ^ Graham, Josh (31 October 2022). "England Women Rugby League World Cup squad in profile". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Gymdata ~ 2012 English Championships ~ Leah Burke". www.gymdata.co.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Gymdata ~ 2013 English Championships ~ Leah Burke". www.gymdata.co.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Gymdata ~ 2014 English Championships ~ Leah Burke". www.gymdata.co.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  8. ^ Lievesley, Caroline (5 November 2019). "Leah in a league of her own". TASS. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Behind the Line: Leah Burke". RLWC 2021. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  10. ^ "PNG Orchids overcome England Women". BBC Sport. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  11. ^ "England Women see off France in Warrington". RFL. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  12. ^ Gordon, James (18 October 2019). "Recap: The first day at the World Cup 9s". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Women's Rugby League World Cup: England secure victory against Papua New Guinea as Burke and Winfield-Hill combine". Sky Sports. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  14. ^ "England out in semi-finals after loss to New Zealand". BBC Sport. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Saints winger Burke out with ACL knee injury". BBC Sport. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.