top of page

Knights launch RISE Development Academy for girls



As part of our continued commitment to women’s and girls rugby league, York City Knights are delighted to announce our RISE Development Academy for girls.


This programme will take place every other Wednesday night at the York St John University Haxby Road facility, and will be working towards identified technical markers, such as core skills and tackle technique, as well as embedding the culture and standards associated with the Knights’ philosophy.


These pathway sessions will run for u14s, u16s and u18s, with the hope of developing a younger batch of players to feed the women’s game in the future, as well as the York City Knights team.


Players will continue to train and play as normal with their community club or schools, but will experience elite level coaching, basic strength and conditioning, and nutrition support from the RISE Development Academy.


Those attending will receive Knights training kit and will become part of the Club with access to match day and first team events.


We will also endeavour to provide high quality CPD for club coaches and teachers, as well as relevant support for parents and carers.


Head Coach Danny Holmes, an experienced rugby league coach with a passion for girls’ rugby league, said: “I am really excited to get started with the new RISE Development Program. From the word go, I could see that York City Knights as a club is going places and it excites me to be a part of the development for the coming years.


“I’ve been involved with girls rugby coaching for a few years now and this is something I’m passionate about. Seeing the girls thrive in rugby league in our area is fantastic, and with programmes like this coming from Women’s Super League clubs, it’s going to help them develop the skills, knowledge and life skills for a successful future in rugby league.”


All girls selected for the RISE Development Academy have been invited to watch the women in the first home game against Wigan on 20th March. Following the match, they will get the chance to speak to members of the Ladies’ team to begin building relationships with the players we are confident they will, one day, emulate by pulling on the Knights jersey.


Wednesday saw the open evening to launch the programme with selected players and their families invited to our training facilities to learn more about the Knights and what is on offer for the young players.


As well as the RISE Development Academy, we will be launching our new-look, open access girls’ Excel programme in the coming months, giving any girl playing rugby league within York and the wider region access to high-quality facilities utilised by both our Mens’ and Ladies’ teams at York St John University Sports Park, as well as top level coaching.


Details of those programmes – which will be running for u12s, u14s and u16s – will be confirmed in the coming weeks with sessions free to attend.


Comments


Key Partners