Wigan Warriors Grand Slam winning women’s team take on pre-season challenge at Coniston
Wigan Warriors Women’s team have stepped up their pre-season preparations with a weekend of team-building and outdoor challenges at Low Bank Ground at Coniston in the Lake District. For the second season in a row, head coach Denis Betts led the squad on a series of activities designed to build unity, trust and resilience ahead of the 2026 season.
The team took on canoeing, Ghyll scrambling, orienteering and a group hike up the Old Man of Coniston and Copper Mines.
Denis Betts said the weekend was designed to push the players while encouraging them to rely on one another. “We wanted to get away as a team to create unity, build some trust and do activities that test the team and put them in some uncomfortable situations, similar to what we could encounter on the field this year,” he said. “The weekend was about pushing them hard, but making them rely on one another to complete tasks.”
As with the men’s first team in Tenerife, the Women’s team also took on the “Traitors” challenge. It kicked off on Thursday evening, with the ‘Traitors’ being chosen, then over the weekend, key players were “murdered” or “banished”. The game reached its climax during the team hike at the Coniston copper mine, with disbelief as last remaining traitor, Meg, survived until the final round.
Beri Salihi, who re-signed in the off-season, reflected on the weekend: “The trip to the Lake District was a good way to break up pre-season and spend more time as a team. My favourite activity was the Ghyll scrambling, although the water was freezing, it was good to be challenged in a different environment. Canoeing was also great as we worked well as a team, and the walk at the end was a good way to bring everyone together before heading back into pre-season training.”
The Wigan Warriors Women’s 2026 Betfred Super League campaign begins against Leeds Rhinos, with the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group Stage fixtures also now announced.
Also, footnote.. who else remembers going to Low Bank Ground on school trips? The best days!
