Academy stars promoted to first team squad

Leeds Rhinos Women have promoted six of their Academy players to the first-team squad ahead of the 2025 Betfred Women’s Super League season.

Ruby Bruce, Ruby Walker and Ebony Stead who all made their debuts in 2024 have been elevated to the first team and Lily Thompson and Connie Boyd have also been brought into the Super League team environment.  Grace Short, who made her debut last season against Barrow Raiders and played a further seven times in 2024 after being promoted to the first- team squad in the summer will also be part of the 2025 squad.  

Bruce, who plays at hooker, joined from Dewsbury Moor and debuted against Warrington Wolves and made six appearances in 2024.  Walker, who is a half back and another player from Dewsbury Moor, made her debut against Featherston Rovers and played four times including the semi-final against York.  Ebony Stead, from Oulton Raidettes can play at wing, centre or full back and featured for the first time against Featherstone Rovers after playing in the Nines and scored five tries in six appearances.  Boyde and Thompson, who both play in the second row and centre are also from Oulton and have earned their call up after an impressive season with the U19s.

Interim head coach Leon Crick said: “The players who stepped up from the Academy last year, Ruby Walker, Ruby Bruce, Grace Short and Ebony Stead, have joined the first team fully this year.  Grace stepped up during the summer and she impressed the coaching staff and retains her place in the squad.  It will be great for them to get a full pre-season under their belts and feel part of the team from day one. 

“We have also brought up Lily Thompson, who won Academy Player of the Year last season.  She had a really strong season and we think she deserves a shot and she is keen to come up and show what she can do.  Connie Boyd has also been given the opportunity to step up, she impressed in the Academy last year and she is looking good in pre-season training.

“Quality wise, first and foremost they are good Rugby League players, they are skilful and they fit into what we need from people in the squad.  They are really likeable and get stuck into everything that we ask of them.  They work hard in the gym and on the field.  They are all teachable and ave got a great grounding already  in terms of their rugby skill and they want to learn and get better.”