Saints' Faye Gaskin has been nominated for the Woman of Steel award for the first time!
In what is expected to be her final season playing Rugby League, the Saints half-back has enjoyed one one of her best seasons in a Saints shirt, which has resulted in a Woman of Steel nomination for the first time.
Since joining the club in our maiden season back in 2018, Gaskin has been a big part of the Saints side. Faye suffered a horrific injury back in the 2021 Challenge Cup Final against York at Leigh Sports Village, as she fractured her lateral tibial plateau in three places, which ruled her out of action for almost two years.
Gaskin made her return at AMT Headingley Stadium in May 2023, putting in a Player of the Match performance as Saints beat the Rhinos 18-38, live on Sky Sports.
This season, Gaskin has been on fire in a Saints shirt. Saints’ #7 has scored nine tries, whilst also kicking 75 goals as Saints finished on top of the Betfred Women’s Super League after the regular season, with 13 wins from 14 games.
Upon hearing the news, Faye Gaskin commented: “Since finding out about Woman of steel, I’m still overwhelmed. Grateful to be nominated but couldn’t have performed the way I have this season without the girls or the staff.
“This group is a special group and I’m really proud to be a part of it. They’ve been outstanding all year.
We’ve still got a job to do, so all focus is back on the play offs. But once again very grateful to be nominated for this award!”
Head Coach Matty Smith said: “I am pleased that Faye has been nominated for the award. She has worked hard for this, coming back from a horrific injury and deserves to be in the mix for Woman of Steel.
“This season she has been one of the key players for us. I have really enjoyed working with her and look forward to hopefully two more games between now and the end of the season.”
Gaskin is joined by Head Coach Matty Smith in being nominated for an end of season award, with the Saints Head Coach up for Coach 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 8th October – two days after the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final.
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.
Saints are in Betfred Super League Semi-Final action on Sunday evening against Wigan Warriors at the Totally Wicked Stadium. You can purchase tickets for the game online here.
