Former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers star Georgia Roche has signed a new long-term contract at Australian club Newcastle Knights.

The deal will keep England international Roche with Newcastle until the end of the 2030 National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) season. The 26-year-old, from Birstall, near Leeds, played for Drighlington and Dewsbury Moor before joining Featherstone Rovers ahead of the inaugural Women’s Super League campaign in 2017.

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She moved to Tigers the following season and was the first Woman of Steel, as well as a nominee for the Women’s Golden Boot and BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year awards. Roche signed for Rhinos in 2022 and linked up with Newcastle a year later.

Georgia Roche in action for Newcastle Knights against Wests Tigers last month. Picture by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images.

placeholder image — Georgia Roche in action for Newcastle Knights against Wests Tigers last month. Picture by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images.

Knights’ NRLW coach Ben Jeffries, a former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats player, said: “Georgia is a priority signing and important foundation for our club to build around. We firmly believe Georgia is coming into the prime of her career at 26 years of age.

“She has led the team in her transition to half-back and we know she will only get better as the years unfold. Georgia has a huge impact internally on our group; her running game is essential to our attack and her determination to be the best version of herself is very exciting.”