Leeds Rhinos have handed first-team contracts to three of their Championship-winning Academy side.
Alfie Edgell, Riley Lumb and Jack Smith have all impressed head coach Rohan Smith with their performances for the Academy team, earning a promotion to the first-team squad ahead of pre-season training. All three have spent time in the first-team environment this year to help their transition and will now make the permanent step up.
Under-18s coach Chev Walker, whose side beat St Helens in a thrilling Academy Grand Final earlier this month, said: “I am delighted for all three players.
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“It is massive for us as a club that we are able to bring through our young players through the scholarship and academy. We want all our players to feel that this club is their club. It is part of the Rhinos’ DNA and why we have been successful as a club in our recent history. For them to be rewarded with first team contracts is a credit to them but also our whole environment.
“At the start of the season we spoke to the players about helping each other be the best they can be and everyone will get the rewards of that. These three are the latest to progress to the first team squad but it is their team mates and coaches who have helped to give them that opportunity.”
Full-back Edgell, 18, joined the Rhinos in 2021 having emerged through the Scholarship in the Academy. Edgell started playing his junior rugby at Kippax, where he won three Castleford Cups and a Leeds Cup. He also played in the BARLA Cup Final in 2016 and previously attended Brigshaw.
He scored two tries in the Academy Grand Final win over St Helens last Sunday to take his total to six tries in eight appearances for the Under 18s this season. He also made six appearances for the Reserves, scoring one try.
Edgell said: “It’s a dream come true to sign for the first team and I am looking forward to what is to come. I know the hard work starts here. It finishes off a great end to the year for me after a funny season. I had some injuries to start and then played in a number of positions but to finish with two tries in a Grand Final win and earn a first team contract is great. Whenever I am on the pitch I just enjoy it and I want to make the most of this opportunity.”
Outside back Lumb, 17, was first inspired to start playing rugby thanks to his dad, Gary, who previously played for Great Britain’s BARLA squad. Playing for Townsville Tigers and Castleford Lock Lane, Riley has featured in four BARLA finals, winning two with Lock Lane. He has also competed in the National Schools Finals in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with his school, Castleford Academy.
He made 12 appearances for the Under 18s in the Championship winning season, scoring seven tries as well as kicking nine goals. He made one appearances for the Reserves. Along with Edgell, he played for Yorkshire this season in the Origin series.
Lumb said: “I have been at the Rhinos for the last two years and I would like to thank the coaches for helping me develop into the player I am now. I don’t think I was very confident when I first joined the scholarship but they have given me the belief that I can improve and now I have got this chance. When I signed for Leeds, I knew they always progressed young players at the Rhinos and that was a big factor when I decided which club I wanted to join.”
Centre Smith, 17, started playing rugby with Featherstone Lions, where he scored twice against Lock Lane to help the Lions win the BARLA Cup. Born in Pontefract, Smith joined the Rhinos Scholarship three years ago before graduating to the Academy. He made twelve appearances this season for the Under 18s, scoring nine tries including the opening try in the Grand Final win over St Helens.
He has made three appearances for the Reserves in 2022, scoring an impressive six tries.
Smith said: “Having come through the scholarship and academy, it has been great to develop my game here at the Rhinos. To be part of the first team squad is an opportunity to good to miss.” The trio will join contemporaries Morgan Gannon, Jack Sinfield, Max Simpson and Levi Edwards in the first team squad.
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