Rugby player Isla Curphey has announced her retirement from Premiership Rugby, bringing to a close a remarkable journey that has taken her from the fields of Ballaugh to the elite stage with Loughborough Lightning.
Curphey confirmed the news on social media, saying she had enjoyed “the experience of a lifetime” and was leaving the Premiership with 51 Lightning caps to her name.
“I have made friends for life… but it’s now time to move on and see what life brings me next,” she said.
Curphey has been one of the recognisable faces of Premiership Rugby’s Powered Differently campaign, which highlights the diverse pathways and personalities shaping the women’s game.
She began her rugby career with Vagas Ladies, where she played for two years before leaving the Isle of Man to study Quantity Surveying at Loughborough. Her move opened the door to top rugby, and she soon established herself as a dynamic presence in the Lightning squad.
Her rise from community rugby to the Premiership has been widely admired, particularly among young Manx players who have followed her progress closely.
