Grace Arrowsmith and Dani McGifford join Giants Women on loan

Huddersfield Giants Women are pleased to announce the loan signings of Grace Arrowsmith and Dani McGifford for a 1-month period.

Grace, an aspiring winger/centre who has graduated from the St Helens Academy, previously joined the Giants on loan at the back end of the season in an injury-hit squad. 

She earned heritage number 87 after debuting against Warrington and made 4 appearances at centre during her time at the club.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Arrowsmith was called up to Matty Smith’s senior team full-time.

Dani plays a similar role for the Merseyside club. A former Heptahelete, McGifford competed with and amongst athletics world stars like Jess Ennis-Hill and Katrina Johnson-Thompson.

Plying her natural skill for speed in rugby, McGifford was handed her debut in 2023 scoring 3 tries from 4 games.

McGifford had not played a single competitive match of rugby league prior to her debut, a clear tell of her raw talent.

The pair recently turned out for St Helens in a pre-season friendly 16-16 draw with the Giants.

On the loan signings, James Westerby, Head of Women & Girl's Rugby, commented:

"It’s great to be able to add Grace and Dani to our squad through loan deals. At the beginning of the week we had a number of injuries and illnesses. 

I’d like to publicly thank Jodie Cunningham, Head of Women's Pathways and Performance at St Helens, for helping to facilitate both these loan deals. 

Grace spent a couple of weeks with us last season on loan and Dani has played against us a couple times so we know what qualities they can bring to the game. 

We hope that these deals have a positive effect for both players and clubs."

Dani and Grace will be eligible to play for the Giants in their next two upcoming fixtures against Wigan and York.