Edge Hill law student makes dream debut for St Helens RLFC and plays in front of bumper Super League crowd
Photo by St. Helens R.F.C. / Bernard Platt

AN Edge Hill University student who juggles a professional rugby league career with studying law has told of the moment his childhood dream came true.

Jonny Vaughan, 19, made his St Helens 1st team debut in July after working his way up through the ranks since joining the club at the age of 14.

The former Rainford High and Carmel College student, from Eccleston, St Helens, used to watch Saints with his dad at the old Knowsley Road ground as a fan; and was even the mascot on a number of occasions.

He said:- "I've got my name etched into the history books there now, I've got that heritage number, I'm a part of this club and that's all I ever wanted. I was a season ticket holder from a very young age. We used to bring a little step with us and I would stand against the barriers and watch them play. I've walked out with Paul Wellens and Kieron Cunningham as a mascot. There's nothing like it; playing for Saints was always a childhood dream."

Jonny, who has captained Lancashire and England at academy level, made his Super League debut in a home match against Castleford Tigers. And he has already clocked up minutes against Wigan, Warrington and Leigh; playing in front of more than 20,000 fans, Super League's biggest crowd of the season, in the clash with Wigan.

Jonny said:- "I've got a picture on my phone of me walking past the stand in the Wigan game and the Saints' stand is absolutely packed after the game. All the other stands are empty and The Saints fans have stayed; the fans are the best. The atmosphere at the games is amazing, especially at our stadium. At the minute we're struggling a bit, but when we're at our best, and the fans are at their best, it's a hostile environment for opposing teams."

Sports-mad Jonny; a 5 time world champion at junior kickboxing after taking up the combat sport at 3 years old; has played cricket at district level and represented Merseyside in athletics. But it was his childhood love of rugby league that eventually proved to be an irresistible pull and that has been his focus since his teenage years.

Jonny explained why he studied for a degree in law:- "I love arguing. I've always been an argumentative person. I got the gift of the gab off my dad. It's been interesting for me. I've always been interested in right and wrong and trying to resolve things and getting the right result for the world. The idea was to go on and become a barrister. The likelihood of that happening now if rugby is going to be full time is very slim but I think it's good to have a prestigious degree to fall back on when I'm 36, 37."

Jonny, who is contracted at Saints until 2025, also recognised that a physical sport such as rugby comes with risk, adding:- "You're 1 bad tackle or 1 injury away from not playing again and that's the risk we take as athletes every day."

Training and playing full time for St Helens as well as studying LLB (Hons) Law has meant a hectic schedule for Jonny with long days beginning in the gym and ending in the library at Edge Hill; sometimes still wearing his Saints' training kit.

Jonny hailed Blackboard; the University's online learning platform; as invaluable because he has been able to catch up on missed lectures.

He added:- "I've been supported throughout and my personal tutor has been amazing. I've always made it clear with St Helens that regardless of where my contract takes me or whatever money I'm paid, University's got to come first, I've got to complete it. It's 1 of those things that I've always wanted to do. I always wanted a degree."

Looking to the immediate future, Jonny says he wants to establish himself in the Saints side, work his way to captaining club and country, and perhaps 1 day compete in the National Rugby League in Australia. And with a steely determination that has already established him as a high achiever, who would bet against him?

Jonny added:- "I think I was born with this competitiveness, whether it was a spelling test at school or it was a world championship final. I wanted to win and that's always been my way and I think that's what sometimes can be a leverage in the professional world. It wouldn't be me if I took the easy option. I want to keep pushing and never get comfortable."

'Changemaker' former MP calls on students to make the world a better place

TRAILBLAZING former MP Louise Ellman has urged graduating students to:- "make the world a better place."

Dame Ellman, who served as Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside and previously as leader of Lancashire County Council, addressed graduating students at Edge Hill University while collecting an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy award.

During her distinguished career in British Politics, Dame Ellman has been dedicated to improving her constituents' lives and championing the North of England.

She described the student's graduation as:- "a landmark in your lives" and commended them for their hard work, while also praising Edge Hill for being a "high achiever making its mark Regionally, nationally and internationally."

Speaking at the graduation ceremony shortly after the General Election, which welcomed in a new Labour Government, Dame Louise said:- "We are in a new era. Don't let anyone tell you politics doesn't make a difference. I've seen politics change lives, free people wrongly imprisoned and stop pollution like the deposit of untreated sewage into the sea at Blackpool. You are graduating with knowledge, skills and ambition; use them to pursue a fulfilling life and make the world a better place."

Dame Louise Ellman has been a strong advocate for devolution and Regional regeneration. With a strong sense of social justice she has worked tirelessly to overturn miscarriages of justice, including:- securing new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster.

In 1970 she became a Councillor for Lancashire County Council, representing Skelmersdale. She became Leader of the Labour Group in 1977 and Leader of the Council in 1981.

Under her leadership, she established Lancashire Enterprises, attracting European funding, and set up the 1st Welfare Rights Unit and the Rosebud Fund for small businesses. 

In 1997, she was elected as the Labour and Co-operative MP for Liverpool Riverside, a position she held until 2019. She was a member of the Transport Select Committee from her election and served as its Chair from 2008 to 2017.

She repeatedly championed the cause of refugees and played a key role in the Modern Slavery Bill, also campaigning on issues like the bedroom tax, public service cuts and the NHS.

In 2018 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions. 

Pro Vice Chancellor (Student Experience) Lynda Brady described Dame Louise as a:- "trailblazer" and "changemaker."

Lynda Brady  added:- "She joined the Labour Party when she was 18 because she wanted to help create a more equal society. She fought for the things she believed to be right, she has shown tenacity, integrity and empathy, and she has taken positive action to make the world a better place."

Edge Hill's Academic Board awards honorary degrees in recognition of the highest levels of personal achievement in academic, professional or public life. 

In addition to Dame Louise Ellman, the 2024 recipients were:-

• Chris Kirkland, former professional goalkeeper, a Liverpool FC player and winner of an England cap;
  

• The Right Honourable Lord Justice Holroyde, Court of Appeal judge and Vice President of the Criminal Division;
  

• The Lord Shuttleworth (Charles) KG KCVO, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire until 2023, and Lady Ann Shuttleworth, who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1999;
  

• Steve Igoe, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University who recently retired after 28 years service.

Previous recipients include:- BBC Journalist Clive Myrie, Comedian Michael Pennington, better known as Johnny Vegas, Actor David Morrissey, Screenwriter and Playwright Heidi. Thomas, and Wally Brown CBE, Former College Principal and Community Leader in Liverpool.

For more information about Edge Hill University please see:- EdgeHill.AC.UK.