Megan Pakulis: "Their rugby knowledge goes above and beyond"

A Canadian accent isn't one you hear often in rugby league in England. However, spend time with York Valkyrie, and all that changes!

Forward, Megan Pakulis arrived at the LNER Community Stadium mid-way through 2024, with a good reputation after some eye-catching performances for her country in the World Cup in 2022.

After being part of the Betfred Women’s Super League winning squad last year, Pakulis can’t wait to get a full season under her belt this time around.

“I’m really excited to be back. I’m looking forward to having the full year this year. Coming in half way through the season last year, I missed out on pre-season, so I’m excited,” she said.

With 10 international caps to her name, Pakulis is keen to keep progressing within the sport, both as an individual and as a player.

“For me, I want to continue growing. I want to take off where we ended last year and continue to build off the back of that.

"As a team, and as a player, we ended on such a high with the Grand Final so building into the season has just taken it up a notch.

“With York, I’ve developed an ability to see the game better because everyone here is so talented. Their rugby knowledge goes above and beyond and so I’m learning from everyone how to see rugby league, how to understand the game.

"Those little things you might not think about when I’m playing back home with Rugby Canada, and my team the Ontario Ospreys. I don’t always get the opportunity to think that far ahead with certain things. The girls here and the coaches have taught me a lot with reading the game, the technique and strategy behind it all.”

After picking up silverware in her first season at the Valkyrie, Pakulis is eyeing more in year two with the Valkyrie.

“For me, the Challenge Cup is the really big one I’m looking forward to. Getting here last year half way through the season I missed out on all those fun bits. So being able to compete in the Challenge cup, those round robins and go into the semi-finals and hopefully have a game at Wembley, I think would be something really really exciting to look forward to this season.”

The World Cup experience in 2022 wasn’t the first for Pakulis, who also played for Canada in the 2017 edition. However, since 2022, she admits rugby league has become more important to her.

“Since the World Cup, it’s been a complete change!

"In 2022 I wasn’t really sure where I would go with rugby league. For me it was just about playing and competing for my country. But since 2022, I feel like it’s just directed my life going forward. I feel like everything I do is for rugby league and to see the potential I can find within it.

“I didn’t realise I’d be here in York when I was here in 2022, visiting and touring York. So to see how far it’s come has been incredible. I’m excited to see how far it can go.”

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