A NEW York City Knights Ladies team has been launched to play in the Rugby Football League's new Women's Summer Merit League.

The side, formed in partnership with the Knights Foundation, is largely based on the York Ladies team that recently won the Women's Rugby League Association (winter season) league and Challenge Cup double.

They will use the Knights' York St John University Nestle Park training base in Haxby Road and also share the League One club's strength and conditioning arrangements and backroom support.

The team are coached by Andy Fletcher, who had led the winter team, and Wayne Lea.

Head coach Fletcher said: "This summer sees a new era for women's rugby in York, moving away from the winter season and joining up with the York City Knights.

"This is, in effect, a brand new club and a brand new team and, with the backing of the Knights and the Knights Foundation, I'm excited to see what we can achieve.

"The opportunities and benefits afforded to us from this partnership are outstanding and the assistance we've already received has been amazing.

"The joint training session we had with the Army Ladies and James Ford and his team at the St John facility was brilliant and very informative."

The squad includes six of the York Ladies winter team along with players from rugby union and the Army, plus former players returning to the game.

Said Fletcher: "It's a fantastic mix of players and there are still more to come in.

"For Wayne and myself, we relish the challenge of moulding this group of individuals into a competitive squad, with players ranging from never touching a rugby ball before to England internationals."

He added: "It's great that the RFL have introduced the Merit League this year, which consists of playing friendlies against other development sides.

"There's no pressure on the players to go out and get results and it allows us time to develop and progress together. Hopefully this way we will encourage more players of all ranges and abilities to come and give rugby league a try."

To launch the venture, Knights boss James Ford and his coaching team delivered a training session for the new squad and the Army Ladies Rugby League team ahead of their Challenge Cup fixture against Selby Warriors WRL.

This followed the successful festival programme for schools, also at Nestle Park, in which more than 150 girls took part.

Fundraising for the team also took place during the Knights' Kingstone Press League One match against North Wales Crusaders at Bootham Crescent on Sunday.

Neil Gulliver, Knights Foundation manager, said: "The session was a fantastic way to launch the York City Knights Ladies.

"To have our ladies training alongside the Army team in a session led by James Ford really does show this is something we really value and want to give our backing to.

"In being able to use the excellent facilities at York St John University we can really help the talented players, who already include internationals, reach their potential.

"Andy Fletcher and Wayne Lea, the ladies' coaching team, are already doing a great job and we want to support them in any way possible and by including them as part of the Knights family."

Training sessions are held on Monday and Thursday evenings and anyone interested in playing or finding out more can phone Fletcher on 07731 450342. They are also seeking volunteers and sponsors, and anyone interested can phone Gulliver on 01904 767404.

* TWO stars of York Ladies' recent Women’s Amateur Rugby League and Challenge Cup double triumph have won awards at the WRLA inaugural dinner and awards presentation evening held at Brighouse Rangers.

Paige Stevens was the premier division's top try scorer and Katie Hepworth the top goalkicker.

Guest speakers included former England rugby league international Francis Maloney and longstanding journalist Dave Parker.