Loughborough Lightning can today confirm that GB 7s scrum-half Alicia Maude has committed her future to the club.
The 24-year-old joined Lightning in the summer of 2024, making two Premiership Women’s Rugby appearances and scoring her first try before her 7s commitments took over for the remainder of the condensed 2024/25 15s schedule.
This season, she has been a mainstay of the Lightning matchday squad, scoring three tries in 16 appearances in the African Violet and is looking forward to more opportunities for Loughborough.
“This has been my first proper season back playing 15s,” she said. “I’ve spent seven a few years playing 7s, so I’ve enjoyed getting back into swing of things.
“I’ve enjoyed playing a lot; it’s been a learning curve at times and easing myself back into the way things are done on a 15s pitch, but I’ve absolutely loved playing every week in competitive and tight games as well.
“The game time I’ve had has been very enjoyable this year; it has challenged my game awareness and game management. I’m used to 7s being a very quick pace, and trying anything from anywhere, whereas I’m learning to be a bit more patient.”
Maude represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 levels and then excelled in the shortened format of the game, earning an England Women’s 7s contract in 2021. She went on to feature in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 Rugby World Cup 7s in South Africa.
Maude continued: “What everybody says about this group is just like how tight-knit everybody is throughout the programme, from BUCS to those international stars.
“It’s a great group, a very lively bunch, there’s loads of energy, training, and stuff. The stadium is really fun. We’ve got a great fan base.
“It’s a very welcoming group; everyone feels at home pretty easily, everyone’s close with each other, it's a great environment to be around, and it’s definitely a learning environment as well.”
Maude’s re-signing follows previous announcements that Helena Rowland, Sadia Kabeya, Daisy Hibbert Jones, Carmela Morrall, Megan Davey, Mae Sagapolu, Keevy Fitzpatrick and Amelia Williams have recommitted to the club ahead of next season – with more announcements to follow in the coming weeks and months.
On her re-signing, Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith said: “Lis made a big decision at the start of the 2025/26 season to step away from the full-time 7s programme and commit to her 15s career.
“I think we have seen the best of Lis because of that commitment, especially in the first half of the season. She has retained her instinct in attack and willingness to find space on the pitch from her time in Sevens, and has really grown as a 15s player during the course of the season.
“I look forward to seeing what further strides she can make this season in what is a very competitive position for us.”
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