Tara-Jane Stanley

Tara-Jane Stanley is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a for York Valkyrie in the Women's Super League. She has played at representative level for England, and club level for Thatto Heath Crusaders and Castleford Tigers Women.

Playing career Stanley began her rugby career playing for Moorfield Angels.

In 2011, Stanley was in the Halton Hillside Hawks team that reached the Championship Final of the Women's Rugby League Conference. Despite losing the game 44–8 to Warrington Wolves, Stanley was named player of the match. As a student as Cronton Sixth Form College in Widnes, Stanley represented the England Women's Students against the Combined Services team.

In 2012, Stanley was part of the Widnes Vikings team that won the Challenge Shield by defeating Stanningley 22–4 in the final. Stanley, who scored two tries, was named player of the match.

In 2016, Stanley scored four tries and kicked seven goals to set a record as the highest scoring player in the Women's Challenge Cup final with 30 points.

She was shortlisted for the inaugural Woman of Steel award in 2018, but lost out to Castleford Tigers teammate Georgia Roche.

In December 2021, it was announced the Stanley had signed for York City Knights for the 2022 season. Stanley won the Woman of Steel award in 2022. Stanley was nominated for Woman of Steel again in 2023 but this time lost out to York teammate Sinead Peach.

In October 2023, York Valkyrie became the first English club to offer professional contracts to players and Stanley was one of the first three to sign a two-year deal.

Representative career Stanley, who made her England debut in 2012, has heritage number 43. She has represented England at the 2013,

In 2018, Stanley was Player of the Match as England beat France 54–4 in Carcassonne.

Stanley was named in the Women's Team of the Tournament at the 2021 World Cup. During the tournament, she scored six tries and nineteen goals to become the top points scorer in the women's competition with a total of 62 points.

Test match appearances Cap Date Opponent Position Tries Goals Pts Match Report Club 1 15 Jun 2012 1 6 16 ERL Widnes 2 11 Jul 2013 1 0 4 ERL Crosfields 3 21 Jun 2017 0 3 6 RLC Thatto Heath-St Helens 4 24 Jun 2017 1 1 6 RLC Thatto Heath-St Helens 5 16 Nov 2017 1 4 12 ERL Thatto Heath St Helens 6 19 Nov 2017 0 0 0 ERL Thatto Heath St Helens 7 22 Nov 2017 0 0 0 ERL Thatto Heath St Helens 8 26 Nov 2017 1 0 4 ERL Thatto Heath St Helens 9 27 Oct 2018 2 5 18 RLC Castleford Tigers 10 9 Nov 2019 0 0 0 RLC Castleford Tigers 11 16 Nov 2019 1 2 8 NRL Castleford Tigers 12 25 Jun 2021 0 6 12 ERL Castleford Tigers 13 23 Oct 2021 0 5 10 ERL Castleford Tigers 14 12 Jun 2022 0 4 8 ERL York City Knights 15 18 Jun 2022 0 4 8 ERL York City Knights 16 1 Nov 2022 2 8 24 ERL York Valkyrie 17 5 Nov 2022 3 5 22 ERL York Valkyrie 18 9 Nov 2022 1 5 14 ERL York Valkyrie 19 14 Nov 2022 0 1 2 ERL York Valkyrie 20 29 Apr 2023 1 8 20 ERL York Valkyrie 21 4 Nov 2023 2 8 24 ERL York Valkyrie