Over the summer the club has seen a number of players step up from Scholarship into training with the Academy as well as welcoming three players from outside the club to start their journey with Wakefield Trinity.

Making the move from the Scholarship to the Academy, Trinity would like to congratulate the following players and recognise their hard work;

Mason McLelland

Elijah Hylton

Ewan Walsh

Dan Hetherington

Jackson Cummins

Roby Cumiskey

Robbie Brook

Junior Rowse

Zack Clegg

Jake Hartley

Rylee Wilks

Riley Andrews-McNichol

Louis Ashman

Tommy Law

All of these players have demonstrated commitment in their own development and shown potential through the Scholarship season. All players are at different parts of their journey but through the training environment, the modified games that were played against Bradford and Hull FC, and the regular fixtures our coaches have been pleased with the potential they have shown for longer term development.

Steve Abraham and his team of coaches and support staff have worked really hard to put a programme together that compliments players club training and form the foundation of further development.

In addition to these players the club are delighted to bring in a player who has repeatedly impressed through the Emerging Player Programme, Mason Bowes. He initially caught coaches eyes in February half term during a joint session between the EPP players and our Scholarship. Since then he has grabbed hold of the opportunities organised by Alex Bielby and showed his potential with a strong performance against Salford in July. This season Mason has represented the Community Lions alongside his club activity.

The club have also strengthened our recruitment with the addition of Coby Doyle and Harry Knight, who played their Scholarship rugby at Warrington Wolves.

Both have committed themselves to the next stage of their development here at Wakefield Trinity and have vowed to grab hold of their opportunity with both hands.

Head of Youth, Ben Lazenby said: “On behalf of Wakefield Trinity, I would like to start off by wishing all of these players the best of luck with the challenge ahead of them, how they apply themselves will be key to how far they progress and how they develop. Our Academy is focussed on developing the person and player in parallel and regardless of the level these players reach I am confident that they will improve both on and off the field and benefit from being in our environment.

I would also like to recognise and thank the parents of these young men who have made such a significant impression on these players’ journeys so far, in life and in rugby. Their sacrifices, choices, commitment and love cannot be ignored; these players wouldn’t be where they are without the support of their parents and families. Seeing all of the players with their parents today really brings home how important the immediate team around the team is.

The developmental journey of a rugby player is difficult and complex and regardless of the outcome the parents and families of these young players should be proud and celebrate every step of that journey.”

Alongside their rugby progression a number of the players have also linked up with our education partner – Wakefield College and will continue to study a variety of course options whilst they develop as rugby players.

On our players continuing their education, Lazenby said: “Having a dual career pathway is hugely important for all players and we are delighted that so many have taken this option with our education partner and hope they will emulate some of the successes of previous players who used their time at Wakefield College to propel their rugby journeys forwards like Lewis Murphy, Ellis Lingard, James Batchelor, Jack Croft, Yusuf Aydin, Tom Delaney and Sam Eseh.”