Batley Bulldogs coach John Kear has praised the club for its long-term thinking after props Alex Rowe and James Brown became the latest to commit their futures to the club.
Both players have signed contracts until the end of the 2018 campaign.
Kear leaves the Bulldogs at the end of this season to take up a director of rugby role with Wakefield, but is confident he is leaving it in good hands ahead of Matt Diskin’s arrival.
Kear said: “Those two players certainly deserve their new contracts.
“It’s great that the club has already got solid foundations in place for a very good playing roster in 2017 already.
“It’s rewarding for the players and I’m delighted that they want to stay there, because it feels as though you’re then leaving the club in a good place.”
Kear is hoping to be finally able to welcome back Brad Day against Oldham the week after the Summer Bash following a thumb injury.
Kear added: “He’s had a stop-start year after having a really good first season where he cemented his place in the side.
“Now we need to get him out onto the field regularly again.”
This article originally appeared in League Express. Buy your copy every week to get the latest from every Championship and League One club.
