Hull FC have confirmed 13 players into a new 'Elite Talent Group' that will train alongside John Cartwright's first-team squad throughout pre-season training.

All 13 players have featured for the academy, and in some cases, the first-team, in 2024. They will now push for their place in the first-team once again, with the group featuring the likes of Jack Charles, Will Kirby, Callum Kemp, and Ryan Westerman, who all played Super League this year.

As exclusively reported by Hull Live earlier this week, Kemp is joined by twin brother Lloyd, while the likes of Roman Dawson, Will Hutchinson and Jordan Baker are also among the group, graduating from the academy and now looking for a first-team spot. The group also contains Lennon Clark, Owen Haldenby, Ben Johnson, Cobie Wainhouse, and Joe Ward.

Challenge to earn their strips, Hull director of rugby Richie Myler is confident that the group will bring the best out of each other and continue to improve. He said: "Having spoken at length with our Head of Youth, Richard Tate, and Francis Cummins, we have identified this as being a very talented group of young players who have bright futures ahead of them.

"These young men are going to have to earn their stripes before they become regular first-team players, but by fostering that competitive spirit to keep improving, I am confident that it will bring out the best in each individual. All thirteen players are part of the Elite Talent Group for the hard work and dedication that they have shown during their time in our youth system, but also because of the quality they have.

"We have seen glimpses of that quality when some have featured for the first-team squad this season. As I have said before, it is key not to over-expose our youngsters as it can have damaging effects longer-term. But we are putting a strategy in place to ensure that any youngster that comes into the first-team environment will be surrounded by quality experience."

Hull FC’s full Elite Talent Group in 2025 are:
Jordon Baker – West Hull
Jack Charles – Beverley Braves
Lennon Clark – Hull Wyke
Roman Dawson – Skirlaugh
Owen Haldenby – Hull Wyke
Will Hutchinson – Skirlaugh
Ben Johnson – Hull Wyke
Callum Kemp – Hull Wyke
Lloyd Kemp – Hull Wyke
Will Kirby – Hull Wyke
Cobie Wainhouse – East Leeds
Joe Ward – East Leeds
Ryan Westerman – Beverley Braves

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