Yorkshire Duo Sign For Wolves
Duo Toby King and Daniel Hirst are two players that have signed for the Wolves' U19 Academy ahead of 2013.
Both were spotted by Tommy Gleeson, the Wolves' Yorkshire Scout, having watched the players numerous times playing for Meltham All Blacks, Halifax.
Toby is a classy player with an outstanding skills set who can play centre, loose forward, stand off or full back.
Tommy said: "I've been watching him for two years. He's a very talented player and is very gifted. He does a lot of fitness in his own and for me he is the double of Ben Currie, and I can see him making first grade. He's a very intelligent lad too."
Toby is delighted to have been given this opportunity at Warrington. "It is a great privilege to have signed for Warrington. When I opened the letter there was a burst of excitement and it was a great feeling. The coaches have been great to me, even from the first day when I came to look around there was a really warm welcome. I'm looking forward to developing myself as a confident player and progressing through to Super League. The youth set-up here is great at doing that."
Daniel is a cheeky hooker who can also play at full back, he has impressed both for Meltham and for his scholarship club.
On Daniel, Tommy added: "He's come from nowhere. He's very fast round the ruck area and would make an excellent scrum half as he has great distribution with his hands. Another quiet person but on the pitch he never shuts up; he reminds me a bit of Rob Burrow from Leeds."
Danny said that his mum has had the biggest influence on his progression, taking him to all his amateur games, not missing one.
"I was absolutely over the moon to get a contract. It's great for player development at Warrington and I've noticed how much they take care of the players here too. We've got a good group of lads and I'm looking forward to developing as a player and building up my fitness."
The Warrington Wolves national talent identification programme has been important in bringing quality players into the Wolves' academy to compliment the players that develop within the club's scholarship scheme that is sponsored by Warrington Collegiate. The club continue to invest in youth development and in the national talent identification programme to ensure that the very best players are coming to play for the Wolves.
John Bastian, director of youth development at the Wolves said: "We are really pleased that we have signed six junior players from our scholarship programme that not only have the potential but conduct themselves the way we expect at Warrington Wolves - respectful, disciplined and enjoy being part of our family.
"But we are also thrilled to have Toby and Daniel who are joining our family from Huddersfield. Tommy Gleeson, under the guidance of Peter Farrell, has tracked them throughout the 2012 season. Both players are very athletic, fast and creative, and can play in various positional roles. We are excited about them being part of Warrington Wolves.
"I would like to congratulate Andy King, the father of Toby and coach of Meltham All Blacks, who has developed some marvellous young players and we are grateful to have two very talented young players joining the Wolves."
Andy commented on how impressed he is with the facilities and personnel at Warrington and is delighted to see Toby and Dan sign for the club.
"I'm immensely proud of them and it's thoroughly deserved on their part as well. They've put a lot of effort in to get to where they are. They are both well-rounded individuals with a really good work ethic. They've had a good grounding and they enjoy what they do. I've coached Toby and Dan since they were seven and it's been great to see them develop. They've got the raw talent and attributes to push forward now."
Pictured: L-R: Toby King, Andy King, Daniel Hirst, Tommy Gleeson
More academy player features to follow over the next few weeks.
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16, Nov, 2012
