With 15 appearances to her name in essentially a new position, Waudby was a deserving winner of Lightning’s Breakthrough Player of the 2024/25 season.

The Derby-born forward started her Lightning journey as a hooker, making her debut as a replacement against Wasps in September 2022. Her first start against Sale Sharks a few weeks later was marked with a maiden try.

Nine appearances in both of her first two seasons slowly saw her make more outings on the back row, and with Sadia Kabeya injured at the start of the 24/25 campaign, Waudby started the first eight games and then would remain impactful from the bench upon Kabeya’s return to form and fitness.

Upon her graduation from Loughborough University, Waudby’s abundant talents were retained heading into the 2025/26 season.