NINE further players have signed professional contracts at York Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie made history last week when Woman of Steel Sinead Peach, full-back Tara Jane Stanley and forward Liv Wood became the first three players in the Betfred Women's Super League to sign professional terms.

But now York have tied down nine further players, with Tamzin Renouf, Emma Kershaw, Liv Gale, Jas Bell, Lacey Owen, Savannah Andrade, Rhiannion Marshall, Georgie Hetherington and Jess Sharp all signing two-year contracts with the club.

At 18, promising forward Sharp is the youngest to have been awarded a contract, having impressed both in her time with the Valkyrie and dual registration club Hull KR.

The contracts consist of base salaries and a range of performance-related bonuses, also including maternity leave provisions and NRLW player options.

The Press understands that the Valkyrie had previously received win bonuses only, with the new contracts offering similar terms to those in the men's Betfred Championship and Betfred League One competitions.

"This is another massive step forward as we continue to sign players to professional contracts," chairman Clint Goodchild said after furthering his support for the Valkyrie.

"I think that this a great move by both the players and the club, allowing us to retain the core of the team from the last two seasons and meaning that we can continue to build over the next two years, which is really exciting.

"These girls are everything great about the club, they train incredibly hard, they look after each other as team-mates and people.

"To have the calibre of squad that we currently do with everyone possessing the right attitude, I'm really proud of all of them."

The announcement of contracts comes at the end of a historic 2023 season for the Valkyrie, in which they became the first Women's Super League club to lift back-to-back League Leaders' Shields.

That achievement was followed up by a maiden Grand Final victory over old rivals Leeds Rhinos in front of a record crowd at the LNER Community Stadium, and a trophy parade along the River Ouse.

With six Valkyrie confirmed to feature in tomorrow's international clash between England and Wales at Headingley, the contracts are a just reward for their efforts.

Whilst 12 deals have now been handed out, Goodchild has hinted that more are in the pipeline as York look to defend their BWSL title.

"We've still got a number of contracts to complete and all the signs are really positive on the front, so we're excited for everyone involved.

"I think that we're seeing really positive trends in women's sports and rugby league is part of that. I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg of what is still to come."