YORK is proving to be a hotbed of women's rugby league after having a second player selected for the Great Britain team to compete at the Women's World Cup.

As reported by the Evening Press earlier this month, teenager Nicola Parry was picked for the 25-strong squad to fly out to New Zealand next month.

And it has now been confirmed that York Acorn Ladies team-mate Bev Langan has also made the grade.

Foxwood-based Langan, who has been training with the GB squad since September, was actually away at the time she was given the official World Cup nod, but she was delighted to hear the news.

"I've been in the provisional squad since the beginning of this year after being brought up from the Under-21s," explained the 20-year-old.

"But my first proper full international will be when we go to Auckland. It will be brilliant and I can't wait."

Mother-of-one Langan, who works full-time as a dental nurse in Acomb, also has exams in dental nursing coming up as part of an NVQ course at York University, but they will take a back seat for three-and-a-half weeks when the squad fly out on September 20.

"I'm quite proud of myself," said Langan, who also plans to join the fire service.

"It's been quite a struggle for me and at times I thought I would not get in but I've worked hard and got there."

The prop or second-row forward, who has also represented Yorkshire and played for England at the age of 16, reckons she will be fired up for the forthcoming contests.

"I've been ready for it for about two years," she said. "I've been training pretty hard and doing some training with the blokes, which has seen my fitness soar, and I can't wait to go there and smash some Kiwis."

Ten nations will be taking part in the second Women's World Cup, with hosts New Zealand favourites to retain the trophy they won in 2000 and Great Britain, finalists last time, also up there.

"At the moment they are the favourites, they're quite a big team, and there are a few new teams like Russia, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji," said Langan.

"I would say we're quite a small side and we're a new team with a lot of young players and not as much experience as in the past, but we will go there for the experience and we'll do our best. We'll definitely let them know where we come from."

Anyone wishing to offer Bev sponsorship is asked to contact her on 01904 791235 or York Acorn on 01904 330351.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, August 20, 2003