'We create world class athletes': Smith delighted with Lightning player retention

When Loughborough Lightning confirmed the re-signing of Mae Sagapolu they stated that “more new contracts” will be announced in the coming weeks.

Aside from providing excitement for the club’s supporters, it is symbolic of the hard work done behind the scenes by head coach, Nathan Smith.

Along with the retention of USA Women’s Eagle, Sagapolu, the East Midlanders have proudly announced that captain, Daisy Hibbert-Jones, and promising lock, Keevy Fitzpatrick, have signed multi-year contracts to stay at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

It has already been an overwhelmingly positive season for Loughborough. In Smith’s third year at the helm, the club are in contention for a top four spot and could end a five year knockout rugby absence in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

While this season is still very much front and centre, having clarity about what his squad will look next season provides cause for celebration as the team continues its development.

“Delighted, to be honest,” Smith, when asked how he felt about the club’s re-signings, said. “It’s not just like your big high profile names who have decided to stay with Lightning, but also the young high potential players like your Keevy’s – and there will be a number more released over time – committing to the programme

“It’s a proud moment for me that people want to stay. You’re build a new environment and we’re building an environment together that people want to be part of.

“We’re never going to offer the most money. We’re not. That’s not our ethos. What we can do is, we can give you the best coaching, best platform, best physical development and environment to really kick you on as a player.”

Over the years Loughborough has been known as a place for development.

That is, in part, due to the team’s prominent university programme which attracts players from the world over. It is also testament to the comprehensive coaching that has been available from Loughborough College all the way to Lightning in the top flight.

Over the years Lark Atkin-Davies, Leah Bartlett, Morwenna Talling and Rhona Lloyd have called the club home before moving elsewhere and starring in international rugby.

In January the club had five players called into John Mitchell’s first Red Roses squad of 2026. This included the already capped Helena Rowland, Sadia Kabeya and Lilli Ives Campion – whose performances have sky-rocketed this season – while promising duo Keevy Fitzpatrick and Haineala Lutui were included too.

Handed opportunities in their teenage years, Lutui and Fitzpatrick have seen their development accelerate at a rapid rate. And that is not something confined to junior players either.

Upon her re-signing 19-cap tighthead prop Sagapolu said, “I feel like I have become a better player and I have more tools in my toolbox as well.”

So, it is little wonder that many players have signed on to stay and fulfil their dreams in a Loughborough Lighting shirt, rather than any alternatives.

“I’ve been coaching quite a while now – probably 11 or 12 years,” Smith said. “How many results do I remember? I don’t remember a whole load. You remember the big games you win, but you don’t forget giving a young person an opportunity.

“I can list the names of people I’ve given an opportunity to and they’ve not taken it. They’ll regret that. I can list names where people have taken it, they’ve kicked on, played Premiership Rugby, played international rugby and they’ve gone on to live the dream. You’ve been part of that journey. There isn’t a better feeling as a coach. Unless you win the league.

“To be able to do that and have the staff and people around them to support them, to achieve what they want to achieve, it is special.The special part about it is that they want to stay now.

“Loughborough, historically as a Lightning organisation, we created world class athletes and kick them onto other environments. Currently we create world class athletes and they want to sign three and four year contracts.

“That’s the beauty of it. The longer we can keep this team together, the more successful we can be.”