YORK Valkyrie’s Liv Gale cannot wait to prove herself on the international stage after receiving her first call-up to the England Knights squad earlier this week.

The 20-year-old half-back will be joined by Valkyrie teammates Emma Kershaw and Jess Sharp at the Knights’ training camp at the end of this month in what will be her first taste of the international rugby league set-up.

Lindsay Anfield’s side are also well-represented in the England National Performance squad, with reigning Woman of Steel Sinead Peach, Tara Jane Stanley, Tamzin Renouf, Lacey Owen, Jas Bell, Georgie Hetherington, Liv Wood and new recruit Eboni Partington all included.

Having registered five tries and 16 assists from 16 appearances in a standout 2023 as York claimed a historic Betfred Women’s Super League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final double, Gale hopes to prove just what she can do to England’s coaches.

“It was a bit of a shock and something that I wasn’t really expecting,” the young talent said of her maiden call-up.

“I still feel like I’m growing as a player at York and my rugby league is still progressing.

“I’m really proud to have achieved an England Knights call-up and I really want to show the coaches what I can do and hopefully move my way up the ranks into the first team.

“We put so much effort into how we performed as a team last year, not just as a group but collectively as well.

“It’s a huge step forward in my career and one that I’m really thankful for. I can’t wait to show them what I can do.”

York Press: Gale made a blistering start to 2023, scoring her first try of the season against Leeds Rhinos on the opening weekend.Gale made a blistering start to 2023, scoring her first try of the season against Leeds Rhinos on the opening weekend. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

Since arriving in North Yorkshire from Oulton Raidettes, Gale has established herself as a Valkyrie regular, and formed a flourishing partnership in the halves with Sade Rihari as they romped to a second consecutive BWSL title last term.

The half-back began the 2023 campaign with a bang after scoring at fierce rivals Leeds Rhinos on the opening day of the season, and also crossed the whitewash in the Valkyrie’s Play-off Semi Final victory against Wigan Warriors in September.

Having won the club’s Young Player of the Year last term, Gale credits Anfield and the training facilities available at York for furthering her progress over the last 12 months as she sets her sights on more success in 2024.

“I feel like I’m getting better all the time,” she admitted.

“The gym programme and strength and conditioning here at York is hard work but it does really prove that it does pay off and I just want to keep improving.

“Lindsay Anfield and the rest of the coaching staff here at the club have been a really big part of my progression, they’re the best coaching staff that I could have asked for to improve my rugby league knowledge and my all-round game.

“I can’t wait for 2024 now. I’m hoping to make more history with the girls and get another Grand Final under our belts!”