LAWTHER MAKES NEWCASTLE THUNDER FIRST TEAM LEAP

Newcastle Thunder’s home grown first team stocks have risen further for 2022, with wing Evan Lawther promoted into the first team squad.

A product of community club Gateshead Storm, Lawther was first introduced to rugby league by a school friend who took him down to the club and has made impressive progress ever since.

Joining the academy setup at Thunder as an U16s at the end of the his scholarship year, he has demonstrated his abilities as a powerful and athletic player.

Playing in four games against quality opposition, he made an instant scoring impression and continued to stand out after academy rugby resumed in 2021.

Part of the Lancashire training squad ahead of the Academy Origin fixture this year, Lawther was also called into Thunder’s match day 21 for the trip to Featherstone Rovers as his U19s performances drew wider recognition.

Joining Jake Anderson, Alex Donaghy and Nathan Clemmitt in the first team, Lawther is part of the next generation of local talent that give the club a north eastern heart.

Lawther said: “I’m really happy to be signed up to the first team, it’s a big step up from academy to first team, but I’m enjoying the challenge and it’s been great to meet this year’s squad and get to know everybody.

“It was a similar thing stepping up from the community game to the academy, but I enjoyed that and the opportunities it gave me so I am hoping to use that experience to do the same again.

“I know there is a lot of work to do, but I am aiming to push as hard as I can this year and keep on progressing. Hopefully doing that will let me take the next steps.

Academy manager Michael Heap said: “Evan is a great athlete, he is really good in air, quick, strong and powerful.

“He came to us late at the end of his scholarship season and played four games. He scored in every one against decent opponents so certainly made an impression.

“Someone who works hard, Evan’s a smart kid and someone that we see as a long-term prospect who being added to the senior environment will bring him on further.

“It will let him learn to train as pro, maximise his access to things like the gym and will be around people like Minnsy and JJ who will be really good for him and will bring him on further.

“There’s no reason not to expect that he will push on further and make claim for a spot during the season and we will look forward to seeing what he can do at this next step in his career.”

Newcastle Thunder’s 2022 squad now has 23 confirmed members, with Lawther joining Jake Anderson, Connor Bailey, Gideon Boafo, Jay Chapelhow, Ted Chapelhow, Mitch Clark, Alex Donaghy, Brad Day, Jesse Dee, Josh Eaves, Alex Foster, Brad Gallagher, Sam Hallas, Jack Johnson, Tom Minns, Pat Moran, Craig Mullen, Jake Shorrocks, Ukuma Ta’ai and Josh Woods as the players revealed.

Season ticket memberships to enjoy all the Betfred Championship action at Kingston Park Stadium are now on sale with adult prices starting from just £190 for 13 games.

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