A large group of York Valkyrie players have followed Sinead Peach, Tara Jane Stanley and Liv Wood in signing professional contracts with a guaranteed salary.
Tamzin Renouf, Emma Kershaw, Liv Gale, Jas Bell, Lacey Owen, Savannah Andrade, Rhiannion Marshall, Georgie Hetherington and Jess Sharp have now joined the trio in committing their futures to York.
As reported last month, the Valkyrie’s Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos was of huge significance because it was played out between the only two clubs in Europe to pay their players. These new contracts take that commitment one step further — they include base salaries, a range of performance-related bonuses as well as provisions for maternity leave. It affirms York RLFC’s willingness to back up the rapid growth of the women’s game with real support.
York RLFC Chairman Clint Goodchild said: “No one can question the commitment of the players last year, having taken steps to start paying the players. This is a significant step forward from that to where the figures become comparable to some Betfred League One contracts and, in some cases, Betfred Championship contracts.
I think that we’re seeing really positive trends in women’s sports and rugby league is part of that. I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg of what is still to come.”
On signing her contract earlier in the month, Captain Sinead Peach added: “What an exciting day this has been for us. If you told me that this moment would come when I was a little girl, I would have laughed at you!
“Little kids looking up to us can see that this sport is progressing.”
Stay tuned to our website for the latest updates on York’s Rugby teams.
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