John Whalley Appointed Head Coach of Swinton Lionesses

Swinton Lionesses are proud to announce the appointment of John Whalley as the new Head Coach marking a new chapter for the Lionesses.

With more than 30 years of experience in rugby league, John Whalley brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and proven success to the role. A former Warrington Wolves player, John has forged a remarkable career across both amateur and professional levels, developing players and shaping teams with a consistent track record of excellence.

John’s most recent achievements include transforming the Ireland Women’s Rugby League Team from an unranked nation to 8th in the world within just two years, and currently serving as Head Coach for Scotland Women’s Rugby League — where he is creating national pathways for girls and coaches alike. His international coaching resume also features time with the England Lionhearts as Assistant Coach, overseeing undefeated tours in Italy and Jamaica.

At club level, John has held pivotal development roles with Wigan Warriors, where he served as Head Coach of the Girls Academy and as Assistant Coach to the Women’s Super League side that won the 2018 championship. His broader leadership in the game includes serving as Director of Rugby in Italy, advancing the sport at grassroots and national levels.

John’s reputation for fostering talent, building high-performance environments, and driving cultural change makes him the ideal leader to take the Lionesses forward. His appointment signals a renewed ambition for the team and a commitment to growth, inclusion, and success at every level.

John Whalley – “I am very excited to get started i can clearly see excellent one club vision, I am looking forward to the rest of the season with some great challenges ahead.”

“We’re delighted to welcome John to the club” Jason Harborow, Chairman of Swinton Lions foundation. “His vision, experience, and passion are exactly what we need as we continue to develop our women’s programme and strive for excellence on and off the field.”

John Whalley joins the Lionesses with immediate effect.