Wakefield Trinity have named Luke Pendlebury as the Women’s Head Coach for the 2025 season. 

Pendlebury comes into the club to take over the newly relaunched Women’s team and spearhead the revitalisation of the team and pathways. He joins from England Rugby Union where he was part of the England Rugby Union Women’s U18s coaching set up. As part of his role as well, Pendlebury delivered national coaching programmes within the RFU. 

The role will see Pendlebury also take up a position within the Wakefield Trinity Foundation as the Women and Girls Player Pathway Coordinator. 

On his appointment, Pendlebury said: “I am very excited to get going at the club. I spoke to several members of staff and the recruitment team in the build up to accepting the role and they were really passionate and serious about making the Women and Girl’s programmes an integral part of the club. The ambition and vision the club has throughout the first team men and women right through to the pathway and community programmes is clear and I am looking forward to ensuring we build and progress the women and girls pathway to be the strongest it can be”.

Trinity’s Recruitment Manager, Ste Mills said: “I’m over the moon to be able to bring in a coach of Luke’s calibre into the club to lead our Women’s programme. We feel his extensive background in coaching a variety of women’s programs in Rugby Union and being involved with England will really give our Women’s team an edge going forward. He will have a strong support network around him and we feel this is a great appointment for the club. Very excited to see how the whole programme evolves over the next 2 years. It’s a great time to be involved with Wakefield Trinity Women.” 

Wakefield CEO, Craig Barrass said: “Appointing a top quality Women’s Coach was a key priority as part of our Wakefield Trinity Women’s team re-launch. We have ambitious plans to build a winning team and to create a pathway for girls to develop their skills and talent as they progress from girls’ age groups into the Women’s 1st team. We feel Luke is the perfect candidate, with his England Women’s experience to lead both the 1st team and the pathway programme to deliver on those ambitions, and we are delighted to secure his services at this exciting time for the club. We look forward to our fans welcoming Luke and the Wakefield Trinity Women’s team in the 2025 season.”