‘I could not be prouder of her’: Former Batley and Featherstone rugby star shares heartfelt message as ‘amazing’ wife Becca battles breast cancer
A former Batley Bulldogs and Featherstone Rovers rugby league star who quit the game to concentrate on looking after his wife during her breast cancer treatment, has issued a heartfelt message following the outpouring of support the family has received.
Luke Cooper played his last-ever game of rugby league for his hometown club Batley in their 54-6 victory over Swinton Lions on Sunday, March 1.
Just two days later, his wife, Becca, started her first round of treatment for breast cancer having been diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year.
Praising the mother of their two young children, Luke said: “She has been really amazing, she is so strong and fantastic and I could not be prouder of her.
“She has supported me for ten years throughout all my rugby. I love rugby but family always comes first. I couldn’t be more proud of her for how she has taken this in her stride. As a mother, she has been an absolute rock for our kids.
“She hasn’t taken a backwards step at all. She means everything to a lot of people. She is doing amazing and I am so proud of her.”
Thanking people for their love and support after the rugby league community - and beyond - got behind the family during this difficult time, Luke said:
“The last few weeks have been tough and there have been a lot of changes with Becca having to stop work and myself having to stop playing rugby, and changes in our lives, whilst trying to keep two kids happy. It’s been quite tough.
“But what has been brilliant is seeing the amount of support that we have received. It has been unbelievable. It means everything. People who I haven’t spoken to in such a long time offering support and people just being there for us and showing love and understanding.
“It has been a whirlwind with the amount of messages we have received. Although it has come at a sad time, it’s been nice to read those messages.”
Luke, 31, spent five years as a ball boy at Mount Pleasant before turning professional with Fev in 2015. His career came full circle in 2024 when he returned home to play for Batley.
And that journey, from Featherstone to Batley, will be completed on Friday, April 10, in a sponsored walk - Walk With Becca - to raise money for Beverley’s Pink Weekend.
The Pink Weekend was set up by the late wife of Batley chairman Kevin Nicholas in 2013 and has raised £228,000 for numerous breast cancer charities.
“Kevin has been absolutely unbelievable,” Luke said. “He has been super supportive, this type of thing means so much to him. He pushed this event and hopefully everyone in the rugby community can get behind it.”
To donate to the Walk With Becca, the first fundraiser of the year for Beverley’s Pink Weekend, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kevin-nicholas-3?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=WA