York City Knights sign forward Jasmine Bell

York City Knights say they are delighted to announce the signing of forward Jasmine Bell for the upcoming Betfred Women’s Super League season, in association with Atropa Pharmacy.

22-year-old Bell joins the club from Castleford Tigers, with whom she won three end-of-season awards at the end of 2021, including Players’ Player of the Year, and will add further strength and competition to an already imposing pack of forwards at the Knights.

A loose-forward or prop, Bell initially played rugby league at school with Castleford Academy before joining Featherstone Rovers in the Women’s Super League prior to making the short switch to Castleford.

Highly-skilled, Bell will bring further ball-playing ability to the Knights as Lindsay Anfield and her squad look to improve on a strong 2021 season where the Knights Ladies reached their first Women’s Challenge Cup Final before falling agonisingly short in the Women’s Super League Play-Off Semi-Finals against Leeds Rhinos.

After signing for the club, Bell pointed to the quality of coaching available to the Knights Ladies as a motivating factor for joining the club ahead of what will be a big 2022.

“It’s amazing. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of being at a new club and having new experiences.

“I’m wanting a new challenge and a change of scenery. I have obviously worked with Lindsay before and I wanted to be coached by her again.

“The stuff that she did for me off the field as well as on the field, in her own time like taking me running was great.

On what Knights fans can expect from their new forward in 2022, Bell was unequivocal in her response: “Big contact!”