Lawrence commits to Giants

Huddersfield have confirmed that youngster Michael Lawrence has committed his long-term future to the club.nnThe centre, 18, has put pen to paper on a new five-year deal, which will keep him at the Galpharm Stadium until the end of the 2013 Super League season.nnLawrence, formerly an amateur with Newsome Panthers, was thrilled to secure his foreseeable future with the club he’s supported all his life.nn”I’ve been a Giants fan all my life, so deciding to commit for the next five years wasn’t a tough decision to make, to be honest. I never considered looking anywhere else because I’m so proud to be a part of this club. I’m really happy here and happy with the form I’ve been showing and with the quality of this squad I know it won’t be long before we’re back winning again,” he explained.nnThe West Yorkshire outfit are still to secure a head coach following the departure of Jon Sharp, but Managing Director Richard Thewlis was upbeat about this latest signing.nn”Michael fully deserves this new deal on the back of his Super League breakthrough and selection to tour Australia with the International Academy side. We are committed to local talent and he is a shining example for all young players in the area and indeed the game as a whole,” Thewlis said.nn”His emergence this year into the Super League spotlight is proof indeed that the development system at Huddersfield is working and that our club instils into players the right habits, skills and strengths to enable full-time Super League careers to be forged. Like our supporters I look forwards to seeing Michael’s career develop for many years to come in the Claret and Gold shirt,” he added.nnStand-in joint head coach Kieron Purtill waxed lyrical about Lawrence, and sees him as a shining prospect at the club.nn”This is fantastic news for the club and for Michael. He has come into the team at a difficult time and has done very well. Defensively he is sound and offensively he is finding his feet. If he continues his development he will have a big future in the game,” Purtill commented.nn”Michael is level-headed, very coachable and great to have around the place. He is sure to be in with a shout for the Young Player of the Year Award,” he added.