Hull FC are pleased to confirm that young hooker Denive Balmforth has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The deal will see the 20-year old remain at the MKM Stadium into the 2025 Betfred Super League season.
The livewire hooker is the latest young talent to commit their future to the club, with Jack Charles, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin and Logan Moy all signing new deals in the last month, while Harvey Barron, Zach Jebson and Matty Laidlaw have also seen the club take up options in their contract to remain with the Black & Whites next season – all eight players are products burgeoning Centre of Excellence youth programme.
The former Yorkshire Origin star, who made a try-scoring senior debut for the club against Toulouse in 2022, joined the club from Warrington’s youth setup earlier that same season.
He has four first-team appearances under his belt this season, including two impressive try-scoring displays in the Airlie Birds last two home outings against Leeds and Warrington, with last Saturday’s match seeing Balmforth scoring a stunning 55 metre dash under the posts.
Balmforth enjoyed a promising season on loan with Newcastle Thunder in 2023, scoring six tries in 26 appearances for the North East club having featured at both half-back and back-row alongside his preferred position at hooker, before returning to East Yorkshire in 2024 to fight for his place – the Leeds’ native has also featured regularly for FC’s Reserves outfit so far this season.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Balmforth said: “It’s a really exciting time to be involved with the club, with plenty of new faces coming in and some really exciting young players committing their future here – so when contract talks started, it was a no brainer for me to sign.
“I know there’s still plenty of hard work ahead for me, but I’m excited for the journey and can’t wait to make some special memories with this great club.”
Hull FC’s Director of Rugby Richie Myler, said: “Denive has earned this contract through his own hard work and determination on both the training pitch, and when he’s gotten his playing opportunities with the first-team this season.
“As has been clear to see, he has taken his opportunities with both hands and we’re delighted to keep him within our camp next season and he continues to develop as an exciting young hooker.
“The fact he has backed himself by just wanting to sign a one-year deal, in order to earn an even bigger contract with the club further down the line, is exactly the sort of attitude we look to instill in our young players.”
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