LINDSAY ANFIELD has set out her hopes that York City Knights Ladies can challenge to win the maiden Women's Nines Festival which kicks off in May.

York are among the 12 Betfred Women's Super League clubs who will compete alongside a dozen other sides from across Europe in the Festival on Sunday, May 1.

Warrington's Victoria Park will host the group stage phase, the top six from which will go on to compete to be crowned as champions at Salford Red Devils' AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday, July 24.

The innovative event, which is free to enter for spectators, sees the shortened format of rugby league introduced into the women's game with the hope of attracting new demographics to the sport.

For York, who reached the Super League play-off semi-finals and the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup final last year, the tournament is another chance at earning silverware.

Knights Ladies director of rugby Lindsay Anfield said: "We've got a bit of pace in our squad, so we'll hope to challenge in that competition.

"Personally, I've played a little bit of Sevens before, so I've got that experience.

"But we're probably going to look to get someone (in) and get a bit of advice on how to play Nines and make sure that we're as up to speed as we can be on what that type of rugby entails.

"To have a successful Nines team would be great.

"Hopefully the things that we've done in pre-season around fitness and getting them up to speed with the levels of the Women's Super League, that should stand us in good stead for the Nines."