YORK City Knights Ladies will officially launch their forthcoming season - and their bow in the Women's Super League - on Monday at their York St John University Sports Park training base.

As revealed by The Press in September, the team have been accepted into the new-look top flight of the expanded women's game, where they will go up against stellar names such as Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Widnes Vikings, Bradford Bulls, Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Featherstone Rovers, who all now possess female teams.

Monday's launch at the Haxby Road sports centre, starting at 6.30pm, will give potential new players, supporters and sponsors the chance to see the Knights' plans for the future of women's and girls’ rugby league in York, and showcase what volunteering opportunities are available to assist the team.

The York outfit were unbeaten in this year’s Summer Merit League and won the Challenge Shield in July in what was their first year playing under the Knights umbrella.

On the back of that, the RFL accepted a bid for the team to play in the top tier as of next season, which starts in March.

Knights Ladies coach Daryl North said then: “For York to be playing in Super League is a massive achievement for women’s rugby and sport in general in York. I don’t think the city has any other team competing in a top tier or playing at that level week in week out.

“I am so pleased we’ve been accepted because I believe the girls need this challenge to progress as players and as a squad. We can learn a lot from playing teams like Bradford and St Helens.”

The Knights are looking to recruit more players and are running four open training sessions for potential new additions to the squad.

These start on Monday's launch evening, at 6.30pm, and continue for the following three Mondays, at 7pm, all at the Haxby Road venue.

The club are also looking to recruit a volunteer support team, from first aiders and physios to those working in marketing and promotions.

Anyone interested can go to Monday's launch or phone Neil Gulliver, of the Knights Foundation, on 07411 122995.