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Saints march in for Warriors star
A LEYLAND Warriors star is celebrating after earning a scholarship with rugby league giants St Helens.
Oliver Yates, 14, was being tracked by four Super League clubs – Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Salford Reds and Leeds Rhinos – but opted for the Knowsley Road-based side.
Dad Nigel said: “It is fantastic for Oliver being offered a place at St Helens – it is like Manchester United coming in for a young footballer.
“It is great for him to have the option of choosing where he wanted to play.
“He thought the St Helens set-up was excellent and he opted to go there. His long-term goal is to get a contract with a Super League club and it is his ambition to play for England some day.”
The U15 Warriors star has played in a number of positions for the club and it is his versatility which has worked in his favour.
Nigel said: “He has scored a lot of tries this season, but his speed and strength are among his assets.
“So far, he played full-back, second-row and represented Lancashire as a loose-forward.
“He is very fast and he currently holds the record for 100m and 200m events in the Chorley Schools Athletics meeting at Wigan Robin Park last year.”
Oliver said: “I am lucky to get into the academy and it is amazing how it has all turned out. It was a bit hard to choose which club to go to, but when I visited the set-up at St Helens it made my decision easier.”
His coach at Leyland Warriors U15 side Paul Markland said: “He is a great lad and an awesome individual.
“It is great for Leyland Warriors as it proves that you don’t have to be at a big club in Wigan or St Helens to get picked up.”
Neil Kilshaw, player performance manager at St Helens RL team said: “Oliver will get some professional coaches evaluating his performance for the next three years.
“He is a very skilful player who has got some great potential.”
Neil added: “The Chorley and Leyland area has produced some talented players in the past.”
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Weather for Leyland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
