Rhinos Women sign rising star

Leeds Rhinos Women have strengthened their squad with the signing of Bella Sykes from Huddersfield Giants Women.

The 18-year-old, who can play hooker or loose forward, started playing with Huddersfield St Joes before joining the Giants where she won the Shield against Featherstone in 2021 at Headingley.  She is part of the England Knights squad and has also represented England Students.

Speaking about joining the Rhinos Sykes said: “I am excited to get started with the Rhinos and to get to know my new teammates.  I had my first training session before this weekend’s Nines tournament.  It was tough but I enjoyed it and I know I will adapt to it the more that I train and get to know everyone and settle into the new environment.

“I think the main thing for me at this stage in my career is about development, learning and challenging myself at that next level.  The standard here is high and I am around people who want to achieve the same thing and progress in rugby.  I will be putting in the work and any game time that comes of it will be a reward from that.

“I think at Giants I was probably one of the more experienced ones as I was there three years, but I am still only 18.  Joining Leeds where they have players who have done it and are still performing at the highest level is something I am looking forward to.  Of course, there is Keara Bennett who is the England number 9, the same position as me, so it will be good to learn from her.”

Sykes is the daughter of former Castleford player Nathan Sykes, but her journey into playing rugby wasn’t inevitable with fewer paths to get involved in the women’s game when she was at junior school.

“My Dad used to play for Castleford Tigers, so I have grown up around rugby,” she said.  “I picked up playing when I was about 13, just after swapping swimming.  I used to swim competitively about five times a week and I just wanted a change.  I didn’t know the pathway for the women’s players was there, so I have only played for a few years and then luckily after playing a year in community rugby I joined the Giants and then managed to get into England Knights last year and the same this year, so it’s going ok so far.

“I am so grateful to Giants; without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.  I’ve learned a lot and developed but I just need that next stage and that next progression, which Leeds are going to help me with. 

“Joining Leeds, who have high aspirations to win the treble, is a different sort of level.  When you train you know you need to perform and everyone is contesting against one another to be picked, I like that challenge and it’s something I am looking forward to.”

Leeds Rhinos Women’s head coach Lois Forsell added: “Bella is a great young player.  She can play at hooker or loose forward and I am excited to bring her into the squad.  She is keen to learn and develop and keep progressing week on week.  We have played against her in Super League, I have coached her at Knights and watched her play last year against Cook Islands, so we are looking forward to seeing what the latter part of the season brings for her.”