School sports advocate and rugby star earns international call-up

Wales call-up adds to remarkable rise

Liverpool School Sports Partnership (LSSP) employee and St Helens RFC Women’s winger, Dani McGifford, has once again been named in the Wales Women’s Rugby League training squad ahead of this week’s mid-season internationals. This adds another milestone to Dani’s remarkable sporting journey that is helping inspire young people across the Liverpool City Region.

By day, Dani works as events manager and school games organiser at LSSP, but tomorrow [15, July], she will travel to Cardiff Met to join the national training camp ahead of Sunday’s international against Canada, where she is hoping to secure a place in the final matchday squad.

From heptathlon to rugby league success

Originally a heptathlete, a sport in which she competed internationally, Dani only took up rugby three years ago. She joined St Helens RFC Women ahead of the club’s 2023 campaign.

Since then, she has made 37 appearances for the Saints. This includes 19 appearances last season where she finished as the league’s top try scorer. She draws on her background in athletics to bring pace and power to the wing. 

Proud to represent Wales

Commenting on her call-up, Dani said:

“I feel extremely privileged every time I am selected for Wales. Having only made my international debut in 2024, just one year after getting into the sport, I still feel a sense of imposter syndrome whenever I wear the Wales shirt.

“I owe a lot to St Helens RFC. It’s hard graft, with training up to five times a week, as well as matches. However, the coaching set-up is extremely supportive and has got me to where I am today. The level of detail they put into sessions, allowing us to re-watch our performances on the field to analyse our strengths and areas for improvement, is extremely beneficial and I wouldn’t have been selected for Wales without them.”

Inspiring young people through sport

Away from elite sport, Dani is passionate about creating opportunities for children and young people to enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

Having worked at LSSP for the past two and a half years, Dani plays a key part in delivering high-quality school sport, physical education and wellbeing programmes across Liverpool and beyond. She has been particularly committed to increasing girls’ participation in sport. She uses her own experiences to encourage more young people to get active and believe in their potential.

This year, Dani has placed a special focus on developing girls’ rugby opportunities. She has organised a range of Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 tournaments.

A role model on and off the field

Joint CEO of Liverpool School Sports Partnership, Adella Dando, commented:

“Everyone at LSSP is extremely proud of Dani and her achievements both on and off the rugby field. She stands for everything LSSP is about, inspiring and empowering children to lead happy, healthy and active lifestyles, and is an incredible role model to young girls. Congratulations, Dani!”

In celebration of its 25^th anniversary, LSSP has introduced its new Active Wellbeing Programme, designed to provide specific solutions for schools across Liverpool City Region. To find out more, visit www.lssp.co.uk or email enquiries@lssp.co.uk.