Tara-Jane Stanley
England women's international rugby league player
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Tara-Jane Stanley is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback 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.[1]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Tara-Jane Stanley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 September 1993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 69 kg (10 st 12 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback, Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 14 November 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
Stanley began her rugby career playing for Moorfield Angels.[2]
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.[3][4] As a student as Cronton Sixth Form College in Widnes, Stanley represented the England Women's Students against the Combined Services team.[5][6]
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.[7] In 2013, she was named the BARLA Ladies Player of the Year.[8]
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.[9]
She was shortlisted for the inaugural Woman of Steel award in 2018,[10][11] but lost out to Castleford Tigers teammate Georgia Roche.[12]
In December 2021, it was announced the Stanley had signed for York City Knights for the 2022 season.[13] Stanley won the Woman of Steel award in 2022.[14][15] Stanley was nominated for Woman of Steel again in 2023 but this time lost out to York teammate Sinead Peach.[16][17]
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.[18]
Representative career
Stanley, who made her England debut in 2012, has heritage number 43.[19][20] She has represented England at the 2013,[21] 2017[22] and 2021 World Cups.[23]
In 2018, Stanley was Player of the Match as England beat France 54–4 in Carcassonne.[24]
Stanley was named in the Women's Team of the Tournament at the 2021 World Cup.[25] 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.[26]
Test match appearances
| Cap | Date | Opponent | Position | Tries | Goals | Pts | Match Report | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 Jun 2012 |  France | Fullback | 1 | 6 | 16 | ERL[27] | Widnes[7] |
| 2 | 11 Jul 2013 | France | Fullback | 1 | 0 | 4 | ERL[21] | Crosfields[28] |
| 3 | 21 Jun 2017 | France | Wing | 0 | 3 | 6 | RLC[29] | Thatto Heath-St Helens |
| 4 | 24 Jun 2017 | France | Wing | 1 | 1 | 6 | RLC[30] | Thatto Heath-St Helens[31] |
| 5 | 16 Nov 2017 |  Papua New Guinea | Wing | 1 | 4 | 12 | ERL[22] | Thatto Heath St Helens |
| 6 | 19 Nov 2017 |  Australia | Wing | 0 | 0 | 0 | ERL[32] | Thatto Heath St Helens |
| 7 | 22 Nov 2017 |  Cook Islands | Wing | 0 | 0 | 0 | ERL[33] | Thatto Heath St Helens |
| 8 | 26 Nov 2017 |  New Zealand | Wing | 1 | 0 | 4 | ERL[34] | Thatto Heath St Helens |
| 9 | 27 Oct 2018 | France | Fullback | 2 | 5 | 18 | RLC[35] | Castleford Tigers |
| 10 | 9 Nov 2019 | Papua New Guinea | Fullback | 0 | 0 | 0 | RLC[36] | Castleford Tigers |
| 11 | 16 Nov 2019 | Papua New Guinea | Centre | 1 | 2 | 8 | NRL[37] | Castleford Tigers |
| 12 | 25 Jun 2021 |  Wales | Fullback | 0 | 6 | 12 | ERL[38] | Castleford Tigers |
| 13 | 23 Oct 2021 | France | Fullback | 0 | 5 | 10 | ERL[39] | Castleford Tigers |
| 14 | 12 Jun 2022 | Wales | Fullback | 0 | 4 | 8 | ERL[40] | York City Knights |
| 15 | 18 Jun 2022 | France | Fullback | 0 | 4 | 8 | ERL[41] | York City Knights |
| 16 | 1 Nov 2022 |  Brazil | Centre | 2 | 8 | 24 | ERL[42] | York Valkyrie |
| 17 | 5 Nov 2022 |  Canada | Centre | 3 | 5 | 22 | ERL[43] | York Valkyrie |
| 18 | 9 Nov 2022 | Papua New Guinea | Centre | 1 | 5 | 14 | ERL[44] | York Valkyrie |
| 19 | 14 Nov 2022 | New Zealand | Centre | 0 | 1 | 2 | ERL[45] | York Valkyrie |
| 20 | 29 Apr 2023 | France | Fullback | 1 | 8 | 20 | ERL[46] | York Valkyrie |
| 21 | 4 Nov 2023 | Wales | Fullback | 2 | 8 | 24 | ERL[47] | York Valkyrie |