DENIS BETTS was full of praise for 41-year-old Holly Speakman, who recently became the first player to reach 100 games for Wigan Warriors when she ran out against Huddersfield Giants.
Speakman joined the club for their inaugural season in 2018, starting in their first ever game – a 54-0 win over Featherstone Rovers in front of just 378 fans at Robin Park Arena. She later went on to feature from the bench as Wigan won that season’s Grand Final.
She has been a part of the club ever since, and lifted her second major with the club as they defeated St Helens 42-6 to lift the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley in June.
“Holly just brings energy,” said Betts.
“She’s got loads of experience and she’s a leader in the group. The girls, especially the young girls look to her for advice and for support and she’s just a pleasure to be around.
“She works really hard and we might take the mickey out of her about our age, but to still be playing shows what kind of dedication she has and it’s a fantastic achievement.
“She has done it because she just continues to turn up, play hard and she wants to do her job. She just loves to play, you see that in every single week and you especially on the sideline when I bring her off and she’s itching to get back out there. She’s been a brilliant player, team mate and I’ve really enjoyed coaching her over the last couple years.”
Speakman, who joined the club from Wigan St Patrick’s and made 16 appearances in her debut season, added: “I didn’t expect to be playing so much in 2018 but I definitely didn’t think I’d ever play 100 games for Wigan.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”