Twenty of Cramlington Rockets’ brightest prospects are set to take the next step in their journey into professional rugby league on Sunday 22nd January at Kingston Park Stadium.

Following an intense winter training period, Newcastle Thunders’ U16s Academy Scholarship side have selected a twenty-man squad for their match against Cumbria Storm (12pm kick off) that features thirteen Rockets.

The match is part of a double header of academy action for the North East’s only professional rugby league club which will also see the U19s take on the City of Hull Academy.

With eleven U16 Rockets set for their debuts, Ryan Hull and Seth Kippax-Jones are the senior men of the team, having being a part of last year’s squad when playing up a year and are joined by debutants Dean Carling and Owen Wright, who just missed out on the squad last time around.

Others making their bow include U14s North East player of the year, Mark Roberts who is joined by fellow nominees, Fergus Simpson and Alex Donaghy with Jack Walker, Isaac Nokes, Nathan Clemmett, Phillip Brantingham, Lewis Howe and Ewan Goodridge also set to feature.

With players also selected from Durham Tigers, Wallsend Eagles, Catterick Crusaders and Cockermouth Titans to show the strength available across the region, there is a strong sense of optimism about what this group of players can achieve.

Following the conclusion of the match, kicking off at 2:30pm, more Rockets are set features as the U19s get their pre-season underway against City of Hull Academy.

Seven Rockets make the squad with a debut for 2015 U16s captain, Chris Paterson joining England Youth international, Jake Woods and Thunder U19s regulars, David Weetman and Jack Quinn in the starting line up.

Then on the bench, NE Young player of the year nominee, Joe Morris lines up alongside U16s treble winners, Oliver Gowing and Tom Wilcox, all set to make their bows.

“We are very excited to see so many Rockets progressing in their rugby league careers” said Chairman, Jeff Ball.

“There are some very good prospects across both squads that you would hope crack on and push for a first team spot in years to come.

However, we all appreciate there is a lot of work to get through before that happens, but based on the level of ability they have already demonstrated and the success our teams have had against both local teams and those in Yorkshire and Hull recently, we are the most optimistic we have ever been.”

U16s kick off 12pm. U19s kick off 2:30pm. Kingston Park Stadium. Entry through Tap & Tackle, £3.

Newcastle Thunder U16s

1. Ryan Hull*, 2. Jack Walker*, 3. Dean Carling*, 4. Isaac Nokes*, 5. George Robinson, 6. Alex Donaghy*, 7. Fergus Simpson*, 8. Tyler Walton, 9. Adam Hay, 10. Josh Leighton, 11. Nathan Clemmett*, 12. Seth Kippax-Jones*, 13. Phillip Brantingham*, 14. Mark Roberts*, 15. Lewis Howe*, 16. Luke Broster, 17. Owen Wright*, 18. Jonny Grey, 19. Ewan Goodridge*, 20. Tony Saywell

Newcastle Thunder U19s

1. Jack Quinn*, 2. Mark McCallan, 3. Adam Bielby, 4. Jake Woods*, 5. Scott Derrick, 6. Dan Coates, 7. Cal Ellis, 8. Liam Tasker, 9. Owen Reed, 10. Sandy Rae, 11. Jed Charlton, 12. Chris Paterson*, 13. David Weetman*, 14. Ollie Gowing*, 15. Arron McBride, 16. Tom Wilcox*, 17. Nat Kitching, 18. Will Bentley, 19. Rory Nettleton, 20. Anthony Dyne, 21. Joe Morris*, 22. Kieran Hudson

* denotes Rocket