Academy is a Giant step forward

industry. The Education Academy also currently provides the academic curriculum to the Huddersfield Giants Academy scholars.

Mr Mahoney added: “We are very excited to announce the introduction of the Rugby League Development Programme in partnership with Huddersfield Giants.

“The scholarship will give young players the chance to study a full-time academic qualification, whilst also developing themselves as Rugby League players.”

Giants Head of Youth Andy Kelly added: “The development programme has a natural fit and sits parallel with what we are trying to achieve.

“Rugby League is notoriously a late development sport and what we are allowing for here is players who have not quite got there yet and who maybe deserve a second chance.

“From a performance and academy point of view it gives us a chance to work with more players and monitor their progress. There are some good examples throughout the game at the moment of people from other clubs who have actually come from the Category 3 element of the game into the academies and into Super League rugby.

“Connectivity is really important, so having the performance players alongside development programme players in the Education Academy is going to be an incentive for each to mix and aim to bridge the gap.”

For more information go to www. huddersfieldcommunitytrust.co.uk/ education.