Trio of academy graduates signs new deals with London Broncos

Three academy graduates who were offered first-team contracts this autumn have committed their futures to London Broncos by signing new deals.

Jensen Monk, Euan Parke and Dan Hoyes will all be part of Mike Eccles’ 2023 Championship squad after impressing newly-promoted head of youth Chris Baxter during their time in the Broncos academy.

The trio will link up with the Broncos’ first team on November 1 when pre-season training begins and join players already committed to next season including Wellington Albert, Paul Ulberg, Alex Walker, Dalton Grant, Sam Davis, Jordan Williams, Jarred Bassett, Marcus Stock and Ronny Palumbo.

Eccles warmly welcomed the academy’s latest crop of graduates into the first team and explained he is excited to see what they can bring to the squad.

“Producing our own players here in London is a real Jewell in our crown,” said Eccles. “The pathway for juniors to progress from grassroots to professional rugby league in the south of England is alive and well.

“It was with enormous pride to watch Mike McMeeken start for England in the first World Cup fixture at the weekend and see Kai Pearce-Paul included in the overall squad for the tournament too.

“Now, we’re delighted to announce the next crop of exciting young juniors produced by Chris and his staff.

“Jensen, Euan and Dan will join a squad that will contain more than 50 per cent homegrown players next year which makes us all immensely proud as a club.

“Euan has incredible athletic potential and poses a real threat with the ball on an edge. He has a big frame to fill out and his raw talent excites us all.

“Dan, like Euan, is another with tremendous athletic potential and poses some real strike from the centres. Dan debuted last year against York and did so with an incredible composure, as if he was a seasoned professional.

“Jensen has transitioned from the halves to the middle this season to great effect. We see Jensen developing into a ball playing loose forward at first team level over time.”

Baxter added: “On behalf of everyone at Broncos academy, I’d like to congratulate Jensen, Euan and Dan for earning their first-team contracts.

“This will be a memorable moment in what hopefully evolves into three long and successful careers in Rugby League.

“They applied themselves admirably to the game during their time in the Broncos’ academy. Now, the real work begins, and they are well-placed to thrive in the club’s first-team environment where they will be supported by Mike, his excellent team behind the scenes and a great bunch of new team-mates.”