Losing Young is real Payne, admits coach
JASON Payne has paid tribute to Northumbria University alumnus Lewis Young as the gifted full-back begins the latest chapter in his rugby league career.
The Newcastle Thunder star graduated with a sports coaching degree this summer following four seasons with Northumbria.
Young has been rewarded for a stand-out National League campaign by earning a nomination for the Kingstone Press League One Young Player of the Year.
TN’s Head coach Payne said: “Lewis is going to be a big miss to Northumbria Rugby League.
“In the last two years he has made a huge impact with Newcastle Thunder and nobody was surprised when he was nominated for the league’s Young Player of the Year Award.
“He was pivotal to a great year for Northumbria and performed well for Thunder.
“Lewis was named the Man of the Match in the 2017 BUCS Championship final and won Man of the Series in the Nines event.
“He was part of the university’s best season and has been a credit to Northumbria as a sports scholar.
“He has worked incredibly hard on and off the field - regularly scoring 20 tries a season and completing his degree course.
“We are all very excited to see where he goes from here but of course he leaves big boots to fill.”
Young could look to Australia in a bid to develop his burgeoning skillset.
Payne (pictured right) has no doubts the talented youngster can go on and make his mark at a higher level.
He added: “Lewis came to Northumbria four years ago and in that time has carved apart student rugby league.
“When I look back we nearly missed out on Lewis - the two of us kept missing each other’s calls but one day we caught up and straight away I knew he could be something special.
“He is a talented kid and will go far.”
Payne has lost a clutch of key players this summer but closeseason recruitment has gone well.
He is confident Northumbria will be well set to defend their BUCS title when the university sport season kicks off next month.
Payne said: “We have lost a few players but we have just wrapped up a pre-season camp in Scarborough and I think we have recruited well.
“We are in a transitional period but the success of last season means players are looking at Northumbria as a serious option.
“The stature and success of our programme and the university means we are in a better position than ever to recruit talented players.
“They look at lads like Lewis and realise it is the place to be.”