Castleford Tigers have fought off competition from rival Super League clubs to clinch the signing of six highly promising teenager stars from the local area.

The Tigers Head Scout Kevin McGuire said: “As a club we have had great success with our junior signings over the last few years and we are delighted with this group of players. Once again this emphasises the clubs commitment to its youth policy. The fact that all the players believe that the club can give them a clear pathway to play first team football is the main reason for these youngsters signing.

“Competition this year for juniors has been fierce due in part to the new RFL guidelines on home grown talent and the need for home grown payers to be in the first team squad. We have beaten off competition for the players from Hull, Bradford, Wakefield and Huddersfield at the same time rewarding players from the clubs scholarship program who have worked hard over a number of years to reach the standard we look for in a player.

“Richard Pell the clubs U18s coach is delighted with the signings and cannot wait to start working with the lads, believing they have a great future in the game.”

The players signed by the Tigers are:

Jordan Thompson (stand off/full back). Jordan plays for Normanton Knights ARLFC and is a member of the National Camp squad at under-U16s, Jordan, who was on the Wakefield scholarship, has signed full time contract which he will take up when he completes his education.

Gareth Butcher (centre/winger). Gareth has played his amateur rugby at East Leeds, Smawthorne and Stanley Rangers. He has previously been selected for the National Camp and played for England schoolboys at U15 and was a regular for the Wakefield Service Area, Gareth is on the clubs scholarship.

Josh Atkinson (centre/winger). Josh played all his rugby for the local Castleford Panthers ARLFC. Josh is also on the clubs scholarship.

Oliver Holmes (back row). Another product of the Normanton Knights ARLFC, Oliver has been a regular for the Wakefield Service Area and was on the Wakefield scholarship. Oliver has a rich pedigree of family who have played professional rugby league.

Billy Harris (second row). Billy played with Stanley Rangers ARLFC and is also a regular for the Wakefield Service Area. Billy was an England schoolboy at U15 and has joined us after attending Bradford’s scholarship. He follows in his uncle’s footsteps Phil Payne in signing for the club at sixteen, a centre. Phil was in the Tigers 1986 Wembley squad and although not playing in the final won a Challenge Cup winners medal.

Adam Milner (hooker) is another product of the Stanley Rangers ARLFC also an England schoolboy at U15 National camp player at U16 Adam has been a regular for Wakefield Service area and attended the Bradford scholarship. Adam also comes with a rugby league background his grandfather having played for York at the same time as Billy Harris’s grandfather.

And the Tigers have also signed 17-year-old prop forward Jonathan Walker who they have been monitoring for three seasons, Jonathan currently plays for Bradford Victoria Rangers ARLFC.