Three of Hull FC’s brightest young stars – Jack Brown, Connor Wynne and Ben McNamara – have all put pen to paper on new deals with the club!
The three Hull FC Academy graduates have been rewarded with contract extensions at their hometown club, having impressed since making the step-up to first team level in recent seasons.
Promising prop Jack Brown, 20, has extended his stay with the club by a further two years, alongside a two-year deal for 19-year-old half-back Ben McNamara.
Exciting utility back Connor Wynne, 20, has also signed a one-year extension with the option for a further twelve months, keeping him with the Airlie Birds until at least the end of the 2022 campaign.
Brown has accumulated 23 appearances for the club since a try scoring debut in 2019, whilst Wynne has moved on to 17 appearances having burst on to the scene in the same year.
McNamara’s breakthrough came last season, making a try-scoring debut against Castleford, and he has featured regularly for the Black & Whites this year whilst also impressing in the club’s academy team.
The trio are part of young Hull-born contingent in the squad, including Jordan Lane, Brad Fash and Joe Cator, with academy rising stars Marcus Walker, Aidan Burrell and Jacob Hookem all making their first-team debuts during the 2021 season, having trained with the senior squad throughout the year.
McNamara said: “I’m really pleased to tie down my future with the club.
“I feel like since making my debut last season, being in this environment and getting plenty of game time under my belt has really allowed me to develop my game and put the pieces in place for me to make that next step in my career.”
Wynne added: “I’m delighted that Brett has put his faith in me to continue to be a part of this squad at the club I love.
“I’ve still got plenty to learn in my game but I feel like the last two years have been crucial to my personal development, and I’ve come a long way since when I took to the field for the first time back in 2019.”
Brown said: “I’m over the moon to have my future secured here at Hull, and even happier given that Connor and Ben have done so too.
“We have a young core of local players in the squad, which can only bode well going forward. The three of us are constantly learning and adding new dimensions to our game.”
Speaking on the three extensions, Brett Hodgson said: “Connor Wynne has worked hard to fight his way into the first-team, and has shown some real versatility in the fact he has played in several different positions throughout the year.
“He stood out at centre when he got that opportunity. He still has some work to go but he is doing everything he can to make himself in that first-team picture every week.
“Ben is probably the most professional young player I have ever seen. He trains hard every day and is always looking to improve, and he is constantly asking questions as to how he can get better.
“Browny unfortunately had his season shortened by injury, but he’s a local lad who is proud to play for the club, he has got good leg speed and bounces about like a pin-ball when he is out there. He has some good attributes that we are looking to develop.
Hodgson added: “It is a major focus for the club in both the short and long-term future that we want to develop and nurture an ever-improving crop of homegrown players and these players are testament to that.
“It is something I truly believe in and it is a process that has the full backing of our management and coaching staff, with some very exciting plans for the future.
“We have to make sure we continue to develop those boys and give them the chance to have a long career at Hull and we will continue to give these three players in particular the best possible chance to progress at our club.”
STORY SPONSOR
