Whitehaven have extended the contract of promising young forward Jake Bradley until the end of 2023.
Bradley, who just turned 21 last month, was the club’s youngest ever player who made his debut against Hemel Stags aged 16 years and 330 days old in 2018.
In that game he also became the youngest ever try scorer as he made his debut on the wing.
In the last few years Jake has grown into his natural position as a forward and has became a regular name on Jonty Gorley’s team sheet. Next season will be his sixth as a Whitehaven player and so far the former Hensingham ARL club junior has made 27 appearances, scoring six tries.
Head coach Gorley is delighted to have Bradley committed for another year and said: “It’s good to get Jake sorted out for next season. He is a young local kid who wants to play for Whitehaven, which in itself is refreshing. We forget he’s still only 21.
“Jake is a great kid to coach because he is very enthusiastic and does all the right things. He is very vocal and knows his job as a middle unit player and he is only going to get better, as we’ve seen, with the more games he plays.
“With signing so young Jake has bided his time and is now in and around the 17/19 squad every week.
“He has got potential to be a really good player for Whitehaven, a regular with many years ahead of him.”
Club director Ashley Kilpatrick said “I think towards the back end of 2021 Jake started to show what he can do for us and how big of a player for Whitehaven he can be.
“He’s had a few niggling injuries this season so far but in the games he has played he’s been good for us and he’s a local lad that wants to play for Whitehaven and represent his home town club.”
