BRADFORD Bulls Women are gearing up for the upcoming 2025 season, as they look to try and claw their way back into Super League.

Having been ever-presents since the founding of the league in 2017, when they won the title, a restructuring led to them being relegated at the end of 2023.

And they found 2024 difficult in the Northern Women’s Championship, finishing third-bottom above only Stanningley and Castleford Tigers.

In the end, Leigh Leopards deservedly won promotion back to Super League, completing an invincible league campaign before edging out London Broncos 22-18 in the National Championship final to go up.

Bulls are looking to go again after a transitional season and have already made the eye-catching signing of Gracie Dutton from Leeds Rhinos.

They will be without long-serving Katie Whelan, who retired at the end of the season, but other key players are staying put.

Lara Dalby, who won the 2024 Coach’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, is signed on for next year alongside captain Ellen Johnson-Strafford.

The latter also bagged two awards, winning the Players’ Player and the Club Woman of the Year accolades. 

Phoebe Allott, winner of the Try of the Season following her superb individual effort against Castleford, is also named in next year’s squad.

As it stands, Bulls’ Women currently have a squad of 21 players heading into 2025, but are actively looking to add to that ahead of next season.