Halifax RLFC have handed three reserve grade players first team contracts.
Brandon Moore, Elliot Morris and James Woodburn-Hall have all signed new terms with the club after impressing head coach Richard Marshall.
The trio are the first three players from Simon Grix’s reserve grade that have made the breakthrough, with Moore and Morris already making their debuts in the Championship.
Both Moore and Morris made their first team debuts against Pilkington Recs in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, while Woodburn-Hall starred in the opening three reserve grade matches.
Head of Youth Martin Gonzalez said: “Brandon is a very driven professional. He is extremely athletic and we could tell from day one that he is determined to be a successful Rugby League player. Brandon’s sole goal has always been to work his way into Richard’s first team squad. He has a fantastic attitude along with an outstanding skillset which he developed when he was at Castleford. He is an exciting prospect to have at the club and he is the type of player that a) we are seeking to attract, and b) someone who can contribute to first team rugby later down the line. He is a model professional for someone who is at such a tender age.
“Elliot is a quiet individual, but someone who does his talking on the pitch. He is extremely powerful and explosive, who has a strong carry and excellent leg drive for such a young man. He has already had a big impact on the field in the reserve games so far as well as the first team game. He just needs experience to really develop and become a first team player. It’s evident that all the tools are there to be successful, as he is very driven and determined. Like everyone at the club, he needs to keep on working hard so he can stake a more regular claim in the first team.
“James started at London Broncos and started playing Super League as a teenager. He’s been on trial with us for a few weeks, and is someone who has really impressed everyone at the club. He has really explosive power, combined with great footwork and is a really hard man to tackle. James has the unique ability to play at either half back or centre which makes him a versatile option which is invaluable. He has come in really for a second chance, as he was probably thrown in at the deep end too soon at London. Richard watched the reserves games that he’s been playing in and was really impressed – he was outstanding against Keighley in our win. We are always keen to attract players like James to this club as he has a desire to get better and a desire to improve. We hope we can turn him into a regular first teamer which he wants to be.”