NEWS that the Rugby League World Cup is coming to York was welcomed today - amid hopes it will inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.

The city's new Community Stadium will host World Cup games in October and November 2021.

Both women’s semi-finals and a number of group stage games will be held in the city, following a successful bid.

The women’s tournament will run alongside the main men’s 2021 World Cup.

Council leaders welcomed the news and one rugby player from York said it will be an opportunity to inspire women and girls to enjoy sport.

Kirsty Parr, a social worker for City of York Council who is also a York City Knights Ladies player, said: “It is wonderful that we will have the opportunity to see such high quality rugby league on our doorstep, especially for the women and girls that are playing rugby in York, and those who will be inspired to start.

“It is fantastic that York has won the bid to host the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in 2021. I am a huge advocate for women and girls being involved in rugby league and this is a fantastic event for everyone in the city to be a part of.”

The council teamed up with the University of York, York St John University, GLL, York City Knights and Make It York to bid to host matches. The fixtures will be announced later this year and tickets will then go on sale for games.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, who travelled to Manchester for the announcement, said: “This is a brilliant result for the city which will see top quality international women’s sport come to our new stadium.

“To have both women’s semi-finals as well as numerous group games is fantastic. The city will be the focus and envy of the sporting world across four days in November as world class athletes from across the world compete. I can’t wait for it to all get started.”

Cllr Ian Gillies, leader of the council, added: “This will be an incredible event and offers the chance to see world class athletes from a wide range of nations in our new stadium. The matches will build on the city’s recent sporting legacy, with the Olympic torch, the Tour de France start and now world class rugby league in York, inspiring a whole generation of children and young people to get involved in sport.”