YORK City Knights Ladies have announced a string of appointments to their backroom staff, including that of Adam Cuthbertson as head of performance.

Cuthbertson has previously served as head coach of Leeds Rhinos women and assistant coach of England women. He will combine his first-team duties with the York men's first-team with his role at the Ladies.

York have also appointed Lindsay Anfield and Callum Windley - both formerly of Castleford Tigers Women - to the positions of director of women’s rugby league and coach respectively.

Cuthbertson said: “I’m really excited about the new journey and to be working with Lindsay and Callum.

“Over the years, I’ve seen the potential of the game and I’m looking forward to working as head of performance to develop it across York, the North Yorkshire region, and England.

“These are really exciting times for women’s rugby league at the Knights with the new program we’ve got in place which I know has the full backing of the club and chairman Jon Flatman.”

“To have someone like Lindsay involved is great and growing the number of female coaches can only be a great thing.”

Anfield is a former England international who previously held the role of head coach at Castleford Tigers Women.

She led the Tigers to the League Leaders Shield and Women’s Super League Grand Final in 2019, as well as back-to-back Challenge Cup Final appearances.

After five years with Cas, Anfield opted to leave the role earlier this year and has now joined the Knights with an aim of continuing the development of one of the fastest-growing areas of the sport.

As a player, Anfield represented England at a World Cup and as a coach and became the first-ever recipient of the RFL’s President’s award in the same – an award given for her commitment to coaching excellence and working with the next generation of coaches.

She is one of a very small number of female coaches in rugby league to have a UKCC Level 3 qualification.

Alongside her new role with York, Lindsay will continue to work as assistant coach with the England Women’s national team as they prepare for the 2021 World Cup.

Anfield said: “I’m very excited to be joining the York City Knights family during what is a very exciting time for the club and women’s rugby league in general.

“This is a big challenge but also a huge opportunity which I couldn’t turn down. I look forward to working with the club and chairman, Jon Flatman, who has a clear passion and respect for the women’s game.

“I look forward to working with the players in an elite environment and with the full backing of the club. We have tremendous facilities at our disposal and we look forward to competing at the club’s brand-new stadium in the near future.”

Windley, who worked as assistant coach with Anfield at Castleford, played for Bradford Bulls, Hunslet and Oxford during his playing career.

He said: “I am over the moon to be joining York City Knights and linking back up with Lindsay. The club is extremely ambitious and wants to help take the women’s game to the next level. I can’t wait to help with that process.”

The new members of staff will join up with the squad imminently and begin preparations for York’s Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup quarter final clash with Wigan Warriors on May 9.