KEIGHLEY COUGARS signing Leo Skerrett-Evans is taking inspiration from the USA as he tries to establish himself in the club game in West Yorkshire.
The teenager has played three times for Jamaica, most recently in October’s 36-0 defeat by France in Albi, which ended the Reggae Warriors’ bid to make a second successive World Cup.
But Skerrett-Evans, who was in the Leeds development system before spending three years in Castleford’s Academy and Reserves, has yet to play a senior game other than that trio of internationals, the others coming against Wales at Neath and Canada in Toronto in 2024.
Skerrett-Evans, who still works in Castleford’s community development team and as a gym instructor in Bradford, aims to make himself a regular at Cougar Park, where coach Alan Kilshaw says he’s ready to give younger players a chance.
The 19-year-old is also a keen basketball fan, and says Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has set an example he’d like to follow.
“He comes from Greece, but wasn’t afraid to go to America and work really hard to prove himself in the NBA,” he explained of the 30-year-old, who made the move as a teenager and is recognised as one of the greatest players of all time.
“It was all about dedication and belief, and he is definitely a big inspiration for me.
“Playing for Jamaica was great, and I want to use that experience as well as the things learnt as Castleford and show Keighley fans what I’m about.
“It’s a new environment and a new stage for me; I have settled in and I’m enjoying pre-season.”
Preparations will step up a notch when Keighley host Sheffield in a pre-season match a week on Saturday, December 20.
It means a return to familiar territory for Eagles coach Craig Lingard, who was in charge of the Cougars from September 2016 to May 2019.