'High potential' Lighting lock pens multi-year deal

Loughborough Lightning lock Keevy Fitzpatrick has committed her long-term future to the club by signing a multi-year deal.

The England Under-20 international has made 10 appearances for the Premiership Women’s Rugby club since she made her debut against Sale Sharks in April 2024.

In January she was one of five Loughborough Lightning players to be included in the first England Red Roses camp of 2026 and also took part in an England U21 training camp.

“Keevy is the high potential lock in England,” Nathan Smith, Lightning Head Coach, said. “She has already been involved in the Red Roses camp and we are really fortunate to be getting her on a multi-year contract moving forward.

“I am really happy with Keevy’s progression, people probably don’t realise she has gone from BUCS 2 to a starting Lightning player in a short space of time, progressing through the club.

“Good lineout second rows are very hard to come by in women’s rugby, regardless of nationality, so for Keevy to take all the opportunities that she has been given around development with BUCS and Lightning, then also to commit to us moving forward is great for the club.”

Fitzpatrick is the second Loughborough player to commit her long-term commitment to the club. She follows hot on the heels of captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones whose new contract was announced at the end of January.

Fitzpatrick balances her early rugby career with a Sports and Exercise degree at Loughborough University. In her first year in the East Midlands the 20-year-old went from competing in freshers rugby to BUCS Super Rugby in a matter of months.Her arrival in the senior Lightning team soon followed.

So far this season she has made seven appearances in PWR Cup and league competition.

“I have decided to stay at Lightning because I think this is where I am going to be the best developed, especially as a forward,” Fitzpatrick said.

“There’s so many experienced and knowledgeable people on the team and obviously the coaching staff have made such a massive difference to my ability already.

“In a short space of time I’ve already made some great memories, like making my Premiership Women’s Rugby debut against Bristol Bears and I really enjoyed the PWR: The Cup campaign earlier this season, where I got to pack down with my good friend Tamsin Baynes for every game – especially at Leicester Tigers away.”