York Valkyrie Director of Rugby Lindsay Anfield completed her first signing of the off-season by signing winger Eboni Partington from St Helens last week.
We spoke to the Valkyrie boss, who expressed her delight at signing the England international.
Lindsay, the Valkyrie have signed Eboni Partington on a two-year deal. How excited are you to be able to bring a player of her ability into the squad?
“To be able to bring in Eboni, it’s a huge signing for us. For Eboni, this is a big change in her life, moving away from her family to a new city, getting a new job and playing for a new team. She’s been unbelievably brave to make this move.
“We’re really looking forward to working with her and seeing what we can add to her game in the next couple of years.”
What are you hoping that Eboni will bring to the squad next year?
“Eboni is an out-and-out winger, which are few and far between in the Betfred Women’s Super League. She is safe under the high ball and is powerful and fast in her carries.
“Having said that, she is still only young and there’s a lot more to come in her game and I’m sure she will add enormous value to our squad.”
She’s only 21-years-old, so there’s hopefully plenty of improvements still to come in her game…
“In our recruitment this year, we’re looking at the players that have a lot of potential in them and are really committed to rugby league. Eboni ticks those boxes and I’m sure she’ll be a fantastic addition to the squad.”
By bringing in another England international to the side, how strong does this make the squad for next year?
“For us as a squad to continue to keep on improving, we need competition for shirts. We don’t want anyone to feel like a shirt is theirs, they have to be striving to be the best they can be. Bringing in recruits like Eboni pushes everyone on and keeps everyone on their toes.”
Watch every York Valkyrie home league match with a 2024 York RLFC Season Ticket! For all information on 2024 Season Tickets, click HERE!
