Rising Sheffield rugby star signs for Huddersfield Giants

The 16-year-old who is one of the youngest in the Women’s Rugby League, hopes her signing will encourage other young girls to take up the sport.
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Rising Sheffield rugby player Phoebe Evans has signed for Huddersfield Giants Women’s, making her one of the youngest players in the league at just 16-years-old.

The teenager from Parson Cross completed the Super League deal during the coronavirus lockdown and has only been able to train with the squad over video chats due to social distancing rules.

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Phoebe has also signed for the newly formed Sheffield Hawks as her community team – which means she can be loaned out to play for her hometown when the Giants don’t have a match.

Phoebe Evans has signed for the Huddersfield Giants at the age of 16.Phoebe Evans has signed for the Huddersfield Giants at the age of 16.
Phoebe Evans has signed for the Huddersfield Giants at the age of 16.

The 16-year-old who was expecting to sit her GCSEs this summer before the coronavirus hit, explained how she feels to be signed to such a historic club.

"I was a bit shocked to be honest because I've played union a lot longer than I have played league”, Phoebe said.

"I never actually managed to be that successful in union after ten years of playing.

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“So when I actually got put on the development program through Normanton Knights in Leeds, I was actually quite shocked that this team wanted me but I am so grateful.”

Phoebe hopes the signing will inspire more young girls to take up the sport.Phoebe hopes the signing will inspire more young girls to take up the sport.
Phoebe hopes the signing will inspire more young girls to take up the sport.

The rising star who recently signed a sponsorship deal with industrial door supplier, Complete Shutter Services, has only been able to train with her new Giants team mates virtually due to Covid-19.

Phoebe said: "I was so looking forward to playing at the age of just 16.

“But it's still so nice to feel part of a team again, it was like I fitted in straight away.”

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She has been playing rugby since she was eight-years-old as part of Wortley Rugby Union Boy’s Football club and now hopes to inspire other young girls to take up the male-dominated sport.

"I definitely want there to be more girls rugby teams so they aren't put off the sport”, Phoebe added.

"I think it's people's opinions, when people hear that a girl plays rugby they kind of make assumptions straight away and that's what puts them off.

"They think there’s too much brutality involved but its really not.”