HURRICANES SIGN UNIVERSITY TALENT
The Hurricanes have beaten a number of Betfred League One and Championship teams to the signings of three top young University players currently in the north east. The former St Helen’s junior and ex Whitehaven Croston, Wakefield Trinity and Sale Sharks Newbound and Albi Tigers player of the year Tyler Walton have all joined the club for the 2022 season. The three are all currently involved in the Championship Winning University Northumbria University who are top of the BUCS National Universiry League scoring 428 Points and conceding just 8 in their first six games of the season.
Sean Croston
The former Westhoughton Lions junior joined St Helens, came through their youth system and was offered a professional contract. He went to university in Newcastle and joined Newcastle Thunder's youth set-up before being promoted to the first team squad for the 2020 season. Croston has represented England at junior level and also at England Universities. Sean spent the 2021 season with Whitehaven in the Championship and broke through to play a number of games making his debut against Toulouse.
Rich Squires:
Sean is an exceptional talent, he’s young, enthusiastic and looks like he has plenty of ability. He’s come through the St Helens system so he will be well-versed in how to play the game. As soon as I talked to him I knew he was someone that needed to be at Hurricanes. He comes in very high regards from previous coaches and has the ability to reach the top of his game. We will be looking for Sean to really express himself this year and light up the league to showcase the skill set that he has.
Tyler Walton
Tyler is a product of the Newcastle Thunder Academy system and broke through into the first team in 2019. He went on to play a number of games for Rochdale Hornets in 2020 before moving to France to play in Elite 1 with Albi Tigers where he had a very successful season and picked up the player of the year. He is currently in his first year of University at Northumbria University and has been ever present in their incredible start to the season.
Rich Squires:
Tyler is a very aggressive and agile middle who is able to do big stints. He has had a taste of League 1 action with a number of teams but has never been able to put his foot down and get some consistency under his belt. He took the move to France and strung a number of games together and really showed his potential. I will be looking for Tyler to put his hand up week in week out and keep improving as a player, he will be a big part of our plans for 2022.
Nathan Newbound
Nathan is a product of Wakefield Trinity Academy and was part of the successful Wakefield College who lifted the title in 2018. Nathan then completed another season with the Trinity academy before changing codes and signing a contract with Sale Sharks. A different code but still gaining valuable experience Nathan tested himself at the highest level before deciding to take up an offer from Northumbria University on a sports scholarship and starting there in September.
Rich Squires:
Nathan is a player that has fallen through the net during his transition to rugby union. He played competitively in every single game for Wakefield Academy and was a stand out performer week in week out. He builds his game around tough carries and aggression in defence and this is something fans can look forward to. He had a number of championship and league 1 clubs show interest in him but I'm over the moon he has bought into what we are building here and I’m delighted to have him on board.