Hull FC are pleased to reveal the thirteen young players that will make up the club’s Elite Talent Group in 2025.
As representatives of the club’s burgeoning Centre of Excellence, all thirteen players have featured for the club’s Academy side with great distinction throughout the 2024 campaign.
They will now form the Elite Talent Group in 2025, pushing for a place in John Cartwright’s first-team squad.
Featuring in the Elite Talent Group is 18-year-old halfback Jack Charles, who made 17 appearances in his debut year for Hull FC.
Will Kirby, Callum Kemp and Ryan Westerman, who also debuted for the Black & Whites in 2024, also make up the Elite Talent Group.
Westerman was one of three members of the Elite Talent Group to represent England Academy against France this summer, alongside Charles and Will Hutchinson.
Also included in the ETG are some of the city’s brightest up-and-coming talents, who will be continuing in their pursuit of a place in the first-team squad.
The likes of Lewis Martin, Hull FC’s top try scorer in 2024, and Logan Moy, the club’s Young Player of the Year, can be beacons of light for the Elite Talent Group as fellow recent graduates from the Academy.
Hull FC Director of Rugby, Richie Myler, said: “Having spoken at length with our Head of Youth, Richard Tate, and Franny [Francis Cummins], we have identified this as being a very talented group of young players who have bright futures ahead of them.
“These young men are going to have to earn their stripes before they become regular first-team players, but by fostering that competitive spirit to keep improving, I am confident that it will bring out the best in each individual.
“All thirteen players are part of the Elite Talent Group for the hard work and dedication that they have shown during their time in our youth system, but also because of the quality they have.
“We have seen glimpses of that quality when some have featured for the first-team squad this season. As I have said before, it is key not to over-expose our youngsters as it can have damaging effects longer-term.
“But we are putting a strategy in place to ensure that any youngster that comes into the first-team environment will be surrounded by quality experience.”
The players forming Hull FC’s Elite Talent Group in 2025 are:
Jordon Baker – West Hull | Baysgarth School
Jack Charles – Beverley Braves | Longcroft School
Lennon Clark – Hull Wyke | Malet Lambert School
Roman Dawson – Skirlaugh | Malet Lambert School
Owen Haldenby – Hull Wyke | The Hessle Academy
Will Hutchinson – Skirlaugh | Longcroft School
Ben Johnson – Hull Wyke | Wolfreton School
Callum Kemp – Hull Wyke | St Mary’s College
Lloyd Kemp – Hull Wyke | St Mary’s College
Will Kirby – Hull Wyke | Wolfreton School
Cobie Wainhouse – East Leeds | The Ruth Gorse Academy
Joe Ward – East Leeds | West Leeds Academy
Ryan Westerman – Beverley Braves | Beverley Grammar School
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