Holmes signs three-year Tigers deal

Castleford Tigers have announced that home-grown forward Oliver Holmes has signed an improved new three-year contract until the end of 2014.

The 19-year-old back row made five appearances in 2010 having made his Super League debut in the latter months of that season. He then went on to make 19 first team appearances in 2011 and has already impressed new coach Ian Millward in early pre season training. “He’s a nice personality, a very committed player and I like the way he moves. I’ve been really impressed with him in the first few weeks and with his age; he’s only going to grow both skills-wise and development-wise,” said Millward.

“I think it’s very astute of the club to get him tied down. It’s great that another local kid has committed to the club, another kid who had plenty of attention from other clubs.

“I’m really pleased he’s signed and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future.”

On committing for the long term with Castleford, Holmes, a former Normanton Knights junior, said:

“I’m glad to have signed an extension on my contract and see myself here for a long time.

“The changes have been massive since we came back in to pre season training and it shows that the club is moving forward and I want to be a part of that.

“Castleford is my hometown and I’ve been at the club since I was 16. I’m looking forward to developing my game further over the next three years here.”

Holmes follows in the footsteps of fellow Tigers academy graduates Richard Owen, Adam Milner, Daryl Clark and Jordan Thompson in signing new long-term deals for the club, which also tied Man of Steel Rangi Chase to a four-year deal, in recent months.