NEWCASTLE THUNDER ANNOUNCE 2022 SCHOLARS

Newcastle Thunder are delighted to announce the players that have been offered places on the club’s Scholarship (Under 16 Academy) for the 2021-22 programme.

Newcastle Thunder are delighted to announce the players that have been offered places on the club’s Scholarship (Under 16 Academy) for the 2021-22 programme.

In total nine community clubs from across the North East and Cumbria are represented with north east junior powerhouse clubs Gateshead Storm and Cramlington Rockets continuing their strong representations on the regions performance pathway.

Reflecting positively on the effort and dedication those clubs put into their junior sections, the two clubs are also joined with other notable success stories.

These include Whitley Bay Barbarians seeing players back into the performance pathway for the first time in several years and the selection of a Wallsend Centurions player in the clubs' first year of running junior teams at this age group.

There is also a strong contingent of West Cumbrian based players as Thunder's work in that area continues to grow and the relationships with the community clubs in that area continue to strengthen.

Speaking on the selections, Academy Manager Michael Heap said: “This year has been one of the most exciting and challenging years we have ever had in getting to this point. The number of players playing the game in these age groups is higher than ever as is the quality of player.  

"This is really pleasing for the game in the area and huge credit must go to all of the community clubs, all involved in North East Rugby League, Newcastle Rugby Foundation and all of the schools that put so much time and effort into growing the game up here.

It is a huge credit and example once again of the effort and dedication that both of the clubs put into their junior sections.

"These players are all joining the club at an extremely exciting time and will benefit from being part of a strong long-term programme which is being led by passionate geordie and Thunderman Graeme Neighbour.

"With a few spaces still available at both age groups we will be continuing to monitor many players within the community game and our development programme who weren’t successful in gaining a place at this stage but could yet make their way into the performance pathway here at Thunder.

"Congratulations to all of the players, their families and all who have been involved in their rugby league journey up until now.”

Under 16s:

Flynn Bolton (Gateshead Storm)

Leo Bradley (Gateshead Storm)

Fintan Ward (Gateshead Storm)

Elliot Teare (Gateshead Storm)

Ryan Shaw (Cramlington Rockets)

Charlie Spedding (Cramlington Rockets)

Lochlann Thomson (Cramlington Rockets)

Cameron Cullen (Cramlington Rockets)

Aaron Nokes (Cramlington Rockets)

Ryan King (Cramlington Rockets)

Tom Stringer (Cramlington Rockets)

Olly Haugh (Cramlington Rockets)

Will Bulman (Cramlington Rockets)

Fletcher Holgate (Hensingham)

James Mattinson (Hensingham)

Ben Wren (Hensingham)

Evan Alick (Wath Brow Hornets)

Cole Boffy (Hartlepool Hurricanes)

Henry Stonehouse (Hartlepool Hurricanes)

Tom Fawcett (Hartlepool Hurricanes)

Harvey Headlam (Hartlepool Hurricanes)

Brandon Booth (Hartlepool Hurricanes)

Under 15s:

Seth Clapham (Catterick Crusaders)

Noah Bangura (Catterick Crusaders)

Harry King (Catterick Crusaders)

Eiljah Delaidriti (Catterick Crusaders)

Ayhan Yilmaz (Cramlington Rockets)

Harry Spedding (Cramlington Rockets)

Fin Lawless (Cramlington Rockets)

Aidan Moody (Cramlington Rockets)

Alfie Taggart (Cramlington Rockets)

Ethan Craze (Cramlington Rockets)

Max Lyon (Cramlington Rockets)

Bobby Wilson (Gateshead Storm)

James Burns (Gateshead Storm)

Isaac McIntosh (Hartlepool Hurricanes)

Jaylen Conway (Hensingham)

Ben Pearce (Hensingham)

Kier Starkie (Hensingham)

Flynn Taylor (John Spence Community High School)

Seamus Knight (Wallsend Centurions)

Layton Dockwray (Wath Brow Hornets)

Jake Greenough (Wath Brow Hornets)

Evan Bradford (Whitley Bay Barbarians)

Joe Miller (Whitley Bay Barbarians)

Matthew Smith (Whitley Bay Barbarians)

Robbie Turnbull (Whitley Bay Barbarians)

Noah Thompson (Whitley Bay Barbarians)

Joe Banks (Yarm Wolves)