Leeds Rhinos have promoted Academy product Fergus McCormack to their first team ahead of the 2023 season. The halfback, a member of the club's Scholarship has signed a full-time contract with the club ahead of the 2023 season.
Initially from Guiseley Rangers, McCormack had earned himself an Academy deal alongside eleven others but, having impressed, will now be part of the first-team squad.
“I feel amazing, it’s a bit surreal," he said. "I don’t think I’ve quite clocked it yet but my mum and dad are really proud. I don’t think they could be prouder.
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“Mark Butterill, John Bastian and all the scholarship coaches have developed me, as well as the boys who put in the hard work and graft week in, week out, so I can’t thank them enough. Rohan talks a lot about the squad and how he likes bringing the youth up so that has inspired me to make the move into the first team.”
McCormack will continue his studies at Woodhouse Grove as part of his development. “Education is a big part of everyone’s life,” McCormack said. “Even though I’ve got the rugby contract, I still need to put work into my education. The fact that I can stay at the school and get to work with the Rhinos will improve both my learning and rugby skills.
Woodhouse Groves’ Head of Rugby Joe Bedford, who previously played for Doncaster Knights and Leeds Carnegie, has coached McCormack throughout his time at the school. He emphasised how proud they were of his achievements, saying: “I started teaching Fergus in year four at the junior school and you could see what a talent he was going to be.
“Every time he’s played, he’s given everything he’s got. He’s gone away and worked on his skills as an individual, not just as part of the team, and that is clearly what has got him ahead. To be playing both codes and to manage that has been tough for him but it’s worked out well for him.”
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