Furness Raiders have announced a squad of 29 players ahead of the new College League season.
A mixture of returning faces and new talent who impressed during the club’s recent open trials, have been selected by coaches Paul McMillan and Steve Perry.
Furness Raiders will hope to build on last season’s success, having reached the College League Premier Division play-off semi-finals before falling to a valiant 36-28 defeat at Castleford Tigers.
After over 18 months of hard work, they were also awarded Development Academy status by the RFL earlier this year, becoming the only club in Cumbria to receive recognition for the player talent pathway provided.
Furness Raiders joint head coach Perry said: “After last season, and running with a squad of 23 lads who were all fully onboard with what we were aiming to achieve and committed to each other, we felt 25 would be a good number to go with this season.
“However, due to the standard of the new players coming in and the competitiveness of the trials, we have extended that to nearer 30.
“This gives us greater continuity for future years and strong competition for places.
“As a coaching team, we feel confident they can deliver throughout the whole season. The challenge will be in managing such a large squad, and the players setting themselves goals beyond just getting a starting shirt but in developing as players and as individuals.
“It’s a massive opportunity for the players and the game as a whole. The 16-19 journey is a precarious one for both the player and the clubs they play for.
“From leaving school to moving into further education and the workplace, the journey is fraught with pitfalls and distractions.
“Players lose their way and clubs lose talent. Pathways like ours keep lads interested in the game and focus them on improvements across the fundamentals of their own game and their role within a higher level environment.
“This can only benefit them, their community clubs and the Raiders as a whole.”
The 2023/24 Furness Raiders squad is:
- Isaac Barber
- Josh Blinkhorn
- Luke Bolton
- Ethan Bowness
- Tyler Brady
- Ollie Dilks
- Ethan Dodding
- Finley Dutton Rosconie
- Tom Farren
- Joe Geere
- Owen High
- Oliver Holmes
- Lucas James
- Sam Knott
- Dan Knott
- Mitch McKenzie
- Finn McMillan
- Ben Niven
- Leni Regan
- Trent Ruddy
- Will Scott
- Lucas Seal
- Jack Twiname
- Rio Walker
- Brad Warne
- Kai Williams
- Jack Wilson
- Seth Woodend
- Zak Wright
Fixtures for the new College League season will be confirmed in due course.
