The 2024 Valkyrie Thread

[Gav Wilson]

Liv Whitehead and Grace Field have left the Champions for pastures new - Leeds Rhinos

[mn79]

It’s a shame and a tad strange to see both of these ladies go to Leeds. Wish them all the best tho. 

[HaxbyKnight]

Agree it seems strange, but they'd been released by the Valkyrie, and they are both very good players. I can only assume that the Valks have suitable replacements lined up. 

[JonT]

Just shows the strength of the Valks set up that the likes of the Rhinos are taking players from York. The ladies game is really on the up and isn't it nice to be sitting atop of the tree.

[Stirlin]

Liv is studying in Leeds so seems  a good move.

[spanishknight]

Another nine Valkyrie stars have signed professional contracts.

[HaxbyKnight]

5 of them in the England squad tomorrow as well, and Georgia Taylor in the Wales squad. Great testament to Lindsey Anfield and the Valkyrie.

Edited November 3, 2023 by HaxbyKnight

[Gav Wilson]

 

[HolmeKnight]

Another England International signed - excellent acquisition - but it seems the squad has five out-and-out wingers, plus Emma Kershaw and Georgie Hetherington who both played there last season. 

I wonder if Carrie Roberts didn't want to go again next year or if the club prefers to bring on younger players. 

With Aimee Staveley retiring, Elisa Akpa returning to France and Grace Field defecting to Leeds it seems to me the squad is a bit light in the forward department. The first choice pack looks great but there's not much cover for injuries. However, I'm sure there'll be a plan!

I really enjoyed watching the Valkyrie last season. A pity it's such a long break before next. Do others agree the squad looks a bit unbalanced?

[RBKnight]

12 hours ago, HolmeKnight said:

Another England International signed - excellent acquisition - but it seems the squad has five out-and-out wingers, plus Emma Kershaw and Georgie Hetherington who both played there last season. 

I wonder if Carrie Roberts didn't want to go again next year or if the club prefers to bring on younger players. 

With Aimee Staveley retiring, Elisa Akpa returning to France and Grace Field defecting to Leeds it seems to me the squad is a bit light in the forward department. The first choice pack looks great but there's not much cover for injuries. However, I'm sure there'll be a plan!

I really enjoyed watching the Valkyrie last season. A pity it's such a long break before next. Do others agree the squad looks a bit unbalanced?

Elisa Akpa stated that, if possible, she wanted to play the whole of next season for the Valkyrie. Fingers crossed......

Jess Sharp - still only 18 - will step up to make more regular starts in the pack, and Daisy Sanderson will also see more game time.

I'd also hazard a guess that T'leesha Frederick-Maynard from the U19's squad may get a bit of game time at prop. I watched her play three times for the U19s, and she stood out in each match as the forward making the hard carries. She was one of the three U19s who were loaned to Huddersfield for a WSL match when they were short.  

Edited November 11, 2023 by RBKnight

[HolmeKnight]

I too thought of Jess Sharp and T'leesha.  Sorry to be pedantic but I think her name is Frederick-Maynard!

[RBKnight]

2 hours ago, HolmeKnight said:

I too thought of Jess Sharp and T'leesha.  Sorry to be pedantic but I think her name is Frederick-Maynard!

Oops! Quite right - corrected 

[HaxbyKnight]

WIth the season approaching, I've had a look at the bookies odds with Skybet. The Valks are second favourites at 13/8 to win the Grand Final, with Leeds the 6/4 favourites. In the Women.s Challenge Cup, the Valks are favourites at 2/1, Leeds are 5/2, and St Helens 3/1

[BroncoFan]

Wigan have announced their squad so looking forward to Valkyrie announcing the squad.

I heard Carrie Roberts may be going around again but nothing confirmed at this stage.

[cookesp]

I’m surprised there has been so little news about the squad.

 

[Simon Hall]

On 05/03/2024 at 08:49, cookesp said:

I’m surprised there has been so little news about the squad.

 

Couple of signings announced this morning.

[Yorkstacker]

Squad numbers coming out. 

[RBKnight]

On 05/02/2024 at 21:07, BroncoFan said:

Wigan have announced their squad so looking forward to Valkyrie announcing the squad.

I heard Carrie Roberts may be going around again but nothing confirmed at this stage.

Confirmed with a squad number yesterday

[RBKnight]

Excellent news - French skipper Elisa Akpa is going to be playing for the Valkyrie all season.

[HaxbyKnight]

Carrie Roberts and Elisa Akpa are massive signings for the Valks. It is a very strong looking squad now.

[Puk]

Would be great if the Valks can achieve the same success as last season and will try to get to a few more games this season as long it doesn't clash with the knights.

[Yorkstacker]

Looks a very strong squad. They deserve more support. 

[RBKnight]

On 08/03/2024 at 18:49, Yorkstacker said:

Looks a very strong squad. They deserve more support. 

Worth pointing out that since the Valkyrie could pull a 1,200 crowd on a stand-alone basis last season, and the Knights average home gate is 2,000, York supporters are proportionately far more supportive of their women's team than other leading clubs. Leeds, Saints and Wigan's gates for their women's fixtures would  have to be around 8,000 to compare!

[georgeb1]

13 hours ago, RBKnight said:

Worth pointing out that since the Valkyrie could pull a 1,200 crowd on a stand-alone basis last season, and the Knights average home gate is 2,000, York supporters are proportionately far more supportive of their women's team than other leading clubs. Leeds, Saints and Wigan's gates for their women's fixtures would  have to be around 8,000 to compare!

on the other hand with the city's population and catchment area the men are massively undersuported

[Mick the Miller]

What date is next game? York site says Sunday 7th April. RFL site says Saturday 6th April.