Morgan Pearson: A Player Profile

Read about one of the women teams star players Morgan Pearson

Morgan Pearson is one of the Rochdale Hornets Women’s Team’s most influential players, whilst orchestrating our successful female side, she also is on the books of Super League side St Helens. The sky is the limit for Morgan and her Rugby League career as she discussed when we sat her down to answer some questions for this in-depth player profile.

When asked how playing for the Rochdale Hornets Women feels, Morgan said “The main part of playing at the Hornets for me is my team-mates. The atmosphere makes the rugby so much better and that’s why I enjoy it so much.” This is influential to Morgan and the entire squad as the Women’s side enters its 10^th year, the same spirit and feel-good atmosphere is present with the ladies being a massive credit to themselves.

Morgan added she is proud to play for the Hornets because when she was little, she had to leave her team because it was all boys and there was nowhere to go other than Rugby Union. She did enjoy playing Union, but It’s good that the Hornets have allowed women to play at later ages too. She knows lots of people that have played in younger age groups and then had the opportunity to start again because teams like the Hornets have an open age group.

In regards to being on the books at Saints, Morgan said “Playing at Saints has really improved my game, I enjoy it so much and it holds lots of opportunities. It has definitely been difficult still playing at Hornets as there is a greater risk of injury and I’m scared to ruin things when I have a game. But it’s nice to still play at a lower level as I learn so much from playing for the Hornets as I notice things my coaches say a lot more. There are also a lot fewer games at Saints so it’s good to still play too.”

Hornets women’s team is led by head coach Ben Bird, with Morgan stating he is influential in helping her develop as a player. “Ben has honestly been everything I could want in a coach. He has been so supportive of all the opportunities; he comes to watch union games and my games with the Saints and he is always honest with what he thinks. He is really supportive and I’m glad he’s our coach.”

On the personal side of her game, Morgan plays as a hooker or number nine, and her favorite play is called a ‘scoot’, “I normally wait for a forward to one in and then will take one in myself if they play it fast. I think I am quite fast, and skill-wise tackling is my best. Even though I am smaller than others I think I have good technique!

And finally, when looking forward to the end of the season, Morgan has set herself some personal and group goals. Personally, Morgan said she would love to try different positions other than her regular nine, she has recently been moved into the halves and has really enjoyed that experience. As a group, Morgan wants to keep the amazing atmosphere found in the Hornets’ women’s side but work on their tactics in order to be more comfortable in games.

We would like to thank Morgan personally for allowing us to conduct this player profile and place on record how proud we are as a club for her personal achievements but also the entire Women’s set-up from all the players involved currently and over our ten-year history as well as head coach Ben for his amazing work.