Saints snap up youngsters

TEN member of the St Helens scholaship scheme have signed professional contracts with St Helens, as the club continues its policy of investment in youth.
One of the success stories emanating from Knowsley Road, and indeed Super League grounds across the country this season has been the emergence of young talent.
And Saints football manager Mike Rush is confident that this latest batch can go on to achieve great things wearing the famous red vee.
“Once again our Scholarship Scheme has produced players we can take further and continue their rugby league education.
“The quality and depth of these players is testimony to the professionalism and hard work of our youth coaches, recruitment and talent identification staff.”
The current first team squad at St Helens is littered with graduates of the club’s academy system and, although they still have a long way to go until they’re spoken about in the same breath as Kyle Eastmond or James Graham, the pathway from the under-18s squad to Super League stardom is clear.
“The players will now continue their rugby league education by being integrated into the club’s successful Academy programme in the coming weeks,” said Saints player performance manager Neil Kilshaw.
“It is testament to the close working relationship we have with the local amateur clubs that we continue to sign players of such quality and we look forward to continuing that partnership with them in the years to come.
“All the players have played for their respective Service Areas in recent years and have competed on a variety of the RFL’s regional and national programs.”
Prop forward Brad Ashurst, second rower Connor Dwyer, loose forward James Tilley and hooker Lewis Foster join from Portico Panthers.
Centre Mark Percival, second rower Alex Clare and stand off Dominic Speakman are products of Halton, with full back Greg Wilde (Golborne Parkside) and scrum half Danny Yates (Waterhead) completing the list.