Wigan Warriors are set for a historic day at Wembley on Saturday, with both the men's and women's teams competing in the Challenge Cup finals. The men's team, led by captain Liam Farrell, will face treble winners Hull KR, while the women's team takes on St Helens. Adding to the excitement, the schools final will be contested by two teams from Wigan: St Peter's and Deanery.
Two Generations, One Club
When Wigan Warriors selected two players to represent them at a Wembley photoshoot, they could not have chosen more different characters. Liam Farrell, the men's captain, is a veteran who has played in five Challenge Cup finals, winning four. In contrast, Jenna Foubister, a 19-year-old student who works part-time in the coach's cafe, is making her first appearance at Wembley. Despite the age gap, both came through Wigan's world-class system, earned sports-science degrees, and have represented England.
Farrell, 35, is quiet and calm, while Foubister is exuberant and excited. But they share a deep connection to the club. "If we weren't involved in the final, we'd be complaining," says Farrell. "It's an exciting time: fans booking their trips, my wife getting the family down here to make a weekend of it." Foubister adds: "When the men won their semi-final, we knew there would be a big Wigan fanbase at Wembley. It's going to be a great day and, if we win, a big party."
Coaching Connection
The women's team is coached by Denis Betts, a former Wigan great and men's coach. Foubister credits him with transforming her game. "When he first brought me in from the academy, I thought he was very scary. But he's a teddy bear really," she says. "He's set standards and taught me things I'd never thought about. He's brought my game and confidence levels on a whole lot." Betts, with five daughters, understands his players well. "He knows how girls work. He's very considerate. At first, when some of the girls cried, he said 'I don't know what to do!' But he's such a comforting coach."
Wigan's Winning Mentality
Wigan have a tremendous habit of winning finals. The men's team rarely loses two in a row, a prospect they face after their Grand Final defeat by Hull KR last October. "There's a rich history of getting to finals and winning them – I think it's 21 Challenge Cups now," says Farrell. "There's a bit of outside pressure, an expectation from fans in the town to win. There's also a strong mentality at the club of Wigan lads, who have grown up watching us win finals, wanting to reproduce that themselves."
Wigan academy graduates account for 20% of all Super League players, a stunning statistic. Farrell attributes this to grassroots rugby. "You go to an amateur club on a Sunday morning and it's thriving. There are so many lads and girls playing rugby league. They want to grow up to be their heroes, whether that was Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Tomkins, or Andy Farrell."
Investment in Women's Rugby
Wigan have jumped ahead of the curve in providing for their female players. The women's team has sole use of the revamped Edge Hall Road site, rather than sharing Robin Park with the men. "It is a privilege having our own ground," says Foubister. "We can go up whenever we want and have the freedom to train, whereas at Robin Park you got slotted in at a certain time. Sometimes we had to wait for the lads to get out of the gym, which could make you feel a bit like second choice. But they have given us our own platform and it's paid off."
One-Club Man
Farrell's career has bridged several generations. Among his old England colleagues are a Super League chief executive (Jamie Jones-Buchanan), Sky Sports pundit (Jon Wilkin), departed legend (Rob Burrow), and expected knight (Kevin Sinfield). Three of his first Wigan teammates now coach him as assistants. Farrell typifies a club that seems a magnet for loyalty. "Before I even signed, there were opportunities in rugby union, but I just wanted to play for Wigan," says Farrell. "There's been a handful of times I could have moved, a couple of opportunities in Australia, but it was never the right time. I've no regrets. I've always wanted to be a one-club man."
Building a Legacy
As Farrell's career enters its final phase, Foubister aims to become a hero in the "close, homely town" she loves. "The men have a lot of history behind them, but the women's team has to build a history of our own now," she says. "My dad took me down to watch Wigan at eight or nine, and I said: 'When I grow older, I'd love to do what these men are doing.' We've definitely increased our fanbase and the town is so supportive. Now I walk round and see little girls in Wigan shirts with our names on the backs, even mine. It's lovely to see. It makes my day. Little girls are looking up to us for inspiration."
