The newly crowned Women’s BUCS Super Rugby Player of the Season, Amelia Williams, has signed a new contract to remain with Loughborough Lightning.
The loosehead prop was just 19 when she made her Lightning debut as a second-half replacement against Leicester Tigers in February 2024 and has gone on to make 29 appearances in the African Violet, as well as playing a prominent role for Loughborough University in BUCS action.
Williams’ exploits have also been recognised on the international stage, earning 13 caps so far for England U21s.
“The main thing for me recommitting to Lightning is the pathway that being at Loughborough provides. It’s one of, if not the best, pathways for women’s rugby,” Williams said.
“The transition between the BUCS and PWR squads is fluid, and it allows exposure for girls to gain valuable experience playing at higher levels, both in PWR: The Cup and the league. The programme also allows access to world-class facilities and coaching as well.”
“It’s awesome to see people like Ala Lutui go on to thrive and do big things in elite environments at a young age because of the opportunities that Lightning provides.”
Williams made nine appearances in her first season – earning a first Premiership Women’s Rugby start against Gloucester-Hartpury. That progress continued in the 2024/25 campaign, when she added a further 11 appearances in a Lightning shirt, along with a first try against Trailfinders Women. Her efforts were rewarded when she was named Lightning’s Young Player of the Season.
She started her rugby journey in the U13s at Medway RFC before going on to Hartpury College, and is now in her second year of a Sports Psychology degree at Loughborough University, having recently won the BUCS Super Rugby title with the university side.
Williams scored a try-of-the-season contender in the opening round of the 2025/26 PWR season when she ran in a sensational score from inside her own half.
I think I’ve developed a lot in the past couple of years since I made my debut,” Williams continued.
“As a young prop, you don’t always expect the exposure that I’ve been given, especially when I first arrived as an 18-year-old in the PWR. I learnt a lot, and it has given me so much experience to develop. Now I play against world-class players in the league, which helps me grow as a person and a player each year.
“My ambition is definitely to become an established player within the Lightning 23 and get more starts, but also use that to push on and hopefully make a senior England squad.
“Since I’ve been at Lightning, we’ve grown as a team and put out better performances each and every week. We’re so close to that top four and know we can push sides, and I think this is the start of something really special.
“The main thing I’m grateful for is the pathway that Loughborough brings. Without having BUCS rugby so closely aligned with the Lightning side, I would never have developed so much. Having that game time is crucial and gives you the opportunity to learn and develop.”
Williams was this week named women’s rugby’s top individual university player, having scored a hat-trick in the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship Final as Loughborough ended their 21-year wait to win the title once more.
She added: “With the BUCS title win as well, hopefully that will attract more players to the pathway and help them develop to reach further heights.”
Williams re-signing follows previous announcements that Helena Rowland, Sadia Kabeya, Daisy Hibbert Jones, Carmela Morrall, Megan Davey, Mae Sagapolu and Keevy Fitzpatrick have recommitted to the club ahead of next season – with more announcements to follow in the coming weeks and months.
Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said: “We’re incredibly pleased that Amelia has decided to re-sign. She’s an exciting and incredibly talented player.
“We pride ourselves on the strength of our programme in developing young players, and Amelia’s journey is an excellent example of using BUCS to give players vital game time.
“Amelia is a dynamic player with plenty of potential and is a great character to have around the squad. For a player so young, she already has a good amount of PWR experience, and we have seen big areas of growth in her game during that time, especially around her set piece. I’m pleased she’s decided to commit her future to the club.”
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