SAINTS half back Faye Gaskin is among the three nominees for the Woman of Steel trophy this year - the prestigious individual honour in Women’s Rugby League shortlisted.
Gaskin has been recognised in what’s set to be her final season for the red vee as she announced after Wembley that this would be her last year.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable career - one that looked to be over after she suffered a significant knee injury during the Challenge Cup Final of 2021.
Back with a vengeance Gaskin opened the scoring for Saints at Wembley Stadium earlier this season and has been playing some of her best rugby after overcoming the injury that derailed her for two years.
Also shortlisted are Georgie Hetherington - following a standout season for York Valkyrie in the absence of their captain and last year’s Woman of Steel, Sinead Peach. Hetherington enjoyed a dream England debut in June as she registered a try and an assist against France in the Mid-Season international.
21-year-old Lucy Murray is the youngest player in contention this year – the second rower has become a regular for Leeds Rhinos since her debut back in 2021 and was recently named their Women’s Player of the Year.
The 2024 Woman of Steel will be crowned at Rugby League’s biggest and most inclusive Awards Night at the Royal Armouries, Leeds on Tuesday 8 October – two days after the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
Shortlists for the two additional Women’s awards that will be announced that night have also been confirmed today – Coach of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
Saints coach Matty Smith is also in the running for coach of the year having guided the side to two of the available trophies so far.
A former men’s Grand Final and Challenge Cup winner as a player with Wigan, who has steered Saints to back-to-back victories in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley as well as lifting the 2024 League Leaders Shield.
He is joined by Amanda Wilkinson of Barrow Raiders and Wigan Warriors Denis Betts have both been shortlisted for Coach of the Year. Both coaches have reinvigorated their teams in 2024 with Barrow ending their first season in the top flight in fifth and Wigan squeezing the gap to the top three to just four points alongside lifting the Women’s Nines trophy.
The Woman of Steel voting panel consists of Women’s Rugby League experts and evangelists Tanya Arnold, Jenna Brooks, Lorraine Marsden and Danika Priim joined by the England Women Head Coach Stuart Barrow, and BWSL General Manager Thomas Brindle.
The Coach of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards are determined by a separate panel of performance experts led by Stuart Barrow.
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