Lindsay Anfield’s side will kick start their competitive fixture list when travelling to Huddersfield Giants on Sunday, April 6 (3pm), before their defence of the Betfred Women’s Super League gets underway on Friday, May 16 against Wigan Warriors (5.30pm).
After confirming the additions of forward Jazz Ramtpon, half-back Demi Fisher and hooker Izzy Bibby, the Valkyrie have given an update on how their squad currently shapes up.
As many as nine players from the 2024 season will not play for the Valkyrie next season, whilst one member of those nine will remain involved with the club moving forward.
A trio of Lacey Owen, Daisy Sanderson and Ellie Henry have made the decision to not play in the coming season.
Owen will be a big miss for the Valkyrie after joining 2022, having been named as York’s Player of the Season for the 2023 campaign, and even representing England, scoring a debut try against Wales in a 60-0 victory at Headingley.
The second-rower initially joined after taking a six month break from the sport, signing from St Helens.
Sanderson also leaves the Valkyrie after a seven year spell with York, having initially joined in 2017.
She has been a part of squads that have won the Merit League, the Challenge Shield, the Women’s Super League on three occasions and the Women’s Nines.
Joining the duo in a break from rugby is Hendry, who was alongside Sanderson since 2017 and shared the same accolades.
Initially a junior with York Acorn, York-born Hendry had been with the Valkyrie on their rise over recent years.
The Valkyrie have also confirmed that Lucy Eastwood, Remi Wilton, Kira Fitzpatrick, Evia Izumi and Bettie Lambert have all moved on to join new clubs.
Eastwood’s time with the Valks lasted just one season, having joined in 2024 alongside Mauqalo Komaitai having previously represented Castleford Tigers.
She would go on to make 16 appearances, often featuring either in the halves or at hooker.
Wilton also joined the Valkyrie midway through 2024 and made ten appearances, also being named on the bench for their 2024 Grand Final victory over St Helens.
Fitzpatrick’s departure comes after just one appearance last campaign, which came in the 70-0 triumph over Featherstone Rovers in the Challenge Cup.
She has been confirmed to be returning to the Army Rugby League, where she previously played.
Izumi joined the Valkyrie from Oulton Raiders in 2023, and made nine appearances for York.
Ireland international Lambert also leaves for pastures new, having made her debut for the Valkyrie in 2018.
She made four appearances last campaign.
The final Valkyrie player to have been confirmed to not be involved in a playing capacity for next campaign is Georgia Taylor – who has joined Anfield’s coaching staff.
Taylor made her debut for York in 2019 and would go on to represent Wales at an international level.
Speaking on the exits, Director of Rugby Anfield commented: “We wish all those moving on all the very best for the future, and fully appreciate their efforts as a Valkyrie.”
