MIDLANDS HURRICANES have high hopes of Ethan Newboult after agreeing a twelve-month contract extension with the halfback or hooker.

Coach Mark Dunning and his assistant Leigh Beattie first worked with him at Bradford, where he was in the development system.

Newboult, a product of the Milford community club, played for the Bulls in a pre-season clash with Hull FC in January 2024.

But he was unable to break into the first team at competitive level, and left in August of that year to link up with Dunning and Beattie in Birmingham.

The pair saw enough in him to take up an option for 2025, and he featured seven times in all competitions.

Now they want him to kick on and play his part in the push to progress the ambitious club in the new-look second tier.

“We’re really pleased that Ethan has committed to the club for another year at least,” said Dunning, who coached Bradford from late April 2022 to early May 2023 and within weeks, took over from Richard Squires at the Hurricanes.

“Having worked his socks off last year to get to the levels needed, Ethan became an important part of the squad and he contributed to both training and games when his opportunity arose.

“Now we’re looking forward to seeing him continue in his development.”

Newboult added: “I’m really excited to have signed again and I want to get stuck in and make my mark on the team.

“Last year was a great experience for me in terms of having the opportunity to develop in training and be rewarded with the chance to make my competitive debut and challenge for a regular place in what is a competitive squad.”

Midlands finished fifth in League One, winning nine and drawing one of their 18 games, and have 18 of that squad still on board while eight new faces have been added.