Rugby League Star Phoebe Hook Carves Unique Wembley Legacy
St Helens’ Phoebe Hook has etched her name in rugby league history books, becoming the only female player to score tries in multiple Women’s Challenge Cup finals at Wembley. The 20-year-old university student’s remarkable journey to the top is a testament to her resilience and passion for the sport.
Hook first caught the eye of the Saints midway through the 2022 season, and made an immediate impact, scoring under the iconic Wembley arch in just her sixth appearance. She reprised that feat on Saturday, crossing the whitewash again as St Helens clinched their fourth consecutive Challenge Cup triumph, this time against Leeds Rhinos.
“Last March, I got spotted in a rugby union match and got asked if I wanted to come down (to Saints) for a trial,” Hook explained. “From there, I was training with the girls regularly, and then a spot (in the squad) came up for me.”
The winger’s impressive tally now stands at 18 tries in 19 senior appearances, including 11 in 10 games so far this year. But Hook’s path to stardom was anything but straightforward. After initially stepping away from rugby union during her university studies, a chance opportunity to trial with Saints reignited her competitive fire.
The dual-code talent has now firmly cemented her place in rugby league folklore, becoming the only female player to score in multiple Wembley finals. Her exploits have not gone unnoticed, with Saints recently announcing match payments for their women’s team – a significant step towards professionalism in the sport.
“It’s massive just for the game and for us as women in general that we’ve been recognised,” Hook said. “The club are wanting to pay us for the efforts that we put in. I would do it without the money, we all would because we just love it, but it does help.”
As Hook continues her pursuit of a Masters in sports psychology, her sights remain firmly fixed on the pitch, where she hopes to inspire the next generation of rugby league stars.
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