Barrow Raiders Ladies announce 2024 squad numbers

Barrow Raiders Ladies have announced their squad numbers for the 2024 Betfred Women's Super League season, which starts in April!

A total of 27 players have been handed first team shirt numbers ahead of the club's debut season in Group 1 of the Women's Super League.

?? We are excited to reveal Barrow Ladies' squad numbers ahead of the 2024 season!

Full story: https://t.co/ANrR1QhdCt pic.twitter.com/xueVQgoQgR
— Barrow Raiders (@BarrowRaiders) February 22, 2024

The Women's Super League has undergone a restructure for the 2024 competition, now consisting of eight teams, instead of six. This decision to change this will see the Barrow's Ladies team compete in the top tier this year, as the Raiders produced a spirited performance to come from behind and clinch a decisive victory over Leigh Leopards in the league's Promotion Final.

Several members of the existing squad have been promoted to starting shirt numbers, including Emma Hutchinson (moved from 18 to two), Leah Clough (moved from 20 to three), Kelly Friend (moved from 15 to eight) and Jodie Morley (moved from 22 to 10). It was Morley's late try against Leigh Leopards which sealed promotion to Group 1 in last season's play-off final.

There are three new signings confirmed for 2024; Jodie Crawford (25), Chloe Capstick (26) and Jazz Callon (28).

Jodie Litherland and Emily Stirzaker will also continue in their role as captain and vice-captain respectively. Litherland will once again wear the seven shirt, while Stirzaker has moved from four to 11.

The number six shirt has been taken by Demi Fisher, with last year's number six Bethany Pattison expecting her second child. Pattinson - whose shirt has been taken by Fisher, an experienced and creative player who will look to excel in her new role - plans to return to playing action in the future.

Barrow's season will begin on Friday 19 April with a trip to Wigan Warriors - head coach Amanda Wilkinson's former club, with whom she won the first-ever Women's Grand Final in 2018.

The following week, defending champions York Valkyrie will visit Craven Park on Saturday 27 April, in what will undoubtedly be a difficult opening assignment for the Raiders on home soil.

The Raiders Ladies will also compete in the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup group stages, having been drawn in Group 2 alongside Cardiff Demons, Salford Red Devils and Wigan.

The group stages of the competition will take place before the start of the league season, with a trip to South Wales first up as the Raiders Ladies visit Cardiff Demons. This game has been set for Saturday 16 March.

This will be followed by a home game against Wigan on Sunday 24 March (2pm kick-off) and trip to Salford Red Devils on Sunday 7 April (also 2pm kick-off).

Barrow Raiders Ladies' Squad list in full:

1. Michelle Larkin, 2. Emma Hutchinson, 3. Leah Clough, 4. Claire Hutchinson, 5. Sam Norman, 6. Demi Fisher, 7. Jodie Litherland, 8. Kelly Friend, 9. Beth Lindsay, 10. Jodie Morley, 11. Emily Stirzaker, 12. Vanessa Temple, 13. Kerrie-Ann Smith, 14. Mia Dobson, 15. Leah Cottier, 16. Hannah Sherlock, 17. Charlotte Todhunter, 18. India Jackson, 19. Amy Sunderland, 20. Laura Mellen, 21. Fran Harley, 22. Maddie Neale, 23. Shannon Parker, 24. Alice Rush, 25. Jodie Crawford, 26. Chloe Capstick, 28. Jazz Callon.

The Betfred Women's Super League will return on the weekend of 19-21 April, with newly-promoted Barrow travelling to Wigan Warriors Women in Round 1. 

Full fixture list with relevant dates, information and kick-off times can be found here.