York Valkyrie and York City Ladies sparking excitement

Has there ever been a better time for women’s sport in York?

York’s men’s teams have had their success more than documented in the past year, with York City going worldwide with their thrilling title win last April, and York Knights defying the odds in the Betfred Super League.

But at a time where sports in York is arguably at an all-time high, it’s also a time to celebrate the wonderful achievements away from the men’s side of the game.

York Valkyrie’s recent success and dominance has been a joy to watch and cover.

They have always been the team to buck the trend, becoming the first women’s rugby league side to offer some of their players professional contracts and with former York RLFC chairman Clint Goodchild putting his all in to make the team a success.

As a result, they have now won the Betfred Women’s Super League more times than any other women’s side – making them the most successful women’s rugby league side in England.

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I always shared good chats with Lindsay Anfield, the former Director of Rugby at the Valkyrie, and it was always clear just how much hard work went on behind the scenes.

Leon Pryce has carried the baton and deserves all the credit in the world for what he’s achieved, despite the adversities that the Valks have faced this season.

Injuries, player unavailability and off-the-field changes, their ability to win the Grand Final has just shown how strong the Valkyrie are.

Pryce is certainly different to Anfield in interviews, albeit I haven’t spoken to him as much unfortunately, but it was super interesting to see how the two compare.

One thing has been clear though – they were both desperate to deliver success, both did, and both brought the women’s game to the forefront in York.

So when it was announced that Matt and Julie-Anne Uggla had completed the takeover of York City Ladies – now rebranded as York City Women – I was genuinely excited.

I’ve just finished watching the fourth season of Ted Lasso, and whilst it’s not exactly a carbon copy of what football is like (far from it), it began to explore the differences between men’s and women’s football.

And when it was announced that the Uggla's had hired Chris Hames as their first-ever full-time head coach, I was genuinely excited.

Chris is someone that I first spoke to back in 2020, when I was first breaking into the journalism world and ran a podcast from my childhood bedroom.

But despite my inexperience and, truthfully, lack of knowledge at the time about the women’s game, Hames was absolutely brilliant with me.

He seems like the perfect fit for the Minsterbelles, he’s got a range of contacts that is already showing with the signings, he’s got the club away from those dreaded relegation spots and is making himself known at the club.

So whilst the Valkyrie are deep into their project, City are just getting started.

I think we all have good reason to be genuinely excited about women’s sports in York.

It’s going good, amazingly actually, right now, with the Valkyrie’s success and City’s recent takeover.

And in three years’ time, I think the possibilities are endless for where both clubs could be.

The Ugglas aren’t afraid to splash the cash and make a success of their product, like they did with the men’s team, and they will be doing all they can to have the Ladies matches be played at the LNER Community Stadium.

As for the Valkyrie, they have already proven what a dominant force they are and now have David Dickson at the top.

In other words, get involved now – before you’re left behind!