AJ Towse

AJ Towse (born 19 August 2003) is a professional Rugby League player who plays in the position, for the York City Knights in the RFL Championship.

He formerly played for amateur Club Heworth ARLFC as both a Junior and in the Open Age, represented the North-East Universities 2021 and played in the Universities Origin game for the North in the same year.

He is studying for a degree in Computer Science at York St. John University.

Playing career
Towse was born in York and is a product of amateur club Heworth ARLFC, having played Rugby League from the age of 11 and latterly the York City Knights Excel Program, having represented them at U16's.

Having made his first Open-Age appearance in a pre-season friendly for York Knights vs Featherstone Rovers at the age of 16, he signed a 3 year contract for the seasons 2021 to 2023. He then went on to sign for a fourth year and the 2024 season

York City Knights 2021
Towse made his professional debut in April 2021 in York's defeat by Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup 3rd Round.

Later that year he made a second appearance in the Knights' September win over London Broncos.

Coventry Bears and Rochdale Hornets 2021 (on-loan)
During 2021 Towse made 2 loan appearances in May 2021 for Coventry Bears, scoring 1 try, and one loan appearance in August for Rochdale Hornets.

Leeds Rhinos Reserves 2022 (on-loan)
Towse made one appearance on loan for Leeds Rhinos Reserves vs Wigan, before being recalled to play for the Knights.

York City Knights 2022
2022 saw Towse appear 18 times for the Knights and scoring 8 tries.

He scored a brace in games against Newcastle Thunder, Whitehaven RLFC and London Broncos, but it was his acrobatic try against Batley Bulldogs live on Premier Sports that will be remembered most.

During the Rugby League World Cup, Towse also spent several days training with the New Zealand National team.

York Knights 2023
2023 saw Towse as the only ever-present player completing all 34 League and Cup games, scoring 20 tries in the process, including a hat-trick against London and helping the side reach the play-offs for the second successive year.

York Knights 2024
Towse signed a further contract ahead of the 2024 season

Honours
2021 – North East Universities

2021 – Universities Origin final.

2022 – Rugby League Betfred Championship Young Player of the Year nomination.

2022 – York City Knights Young Player of the Year.

2022 – York City Knights Try of the Year.

2023 – York Sport Awards Student Sportsperson of the Year.

2023 – York Knights Supporters Society Player of the year.

2023 – York Knights Young Player of the Year

2023 – York Knights Top Try Scorer.

2023 – Rugby League Betfred Championship Young Player of the Year nomination.