Maher ecstatic to be a Tiger

Cumbrian prop forward Will Maher is delighted to have committed his future to the Castleford Tigers.

The 19-year-old is a graduate of the RFL’s Regional Academy programme, who has been at Cas since 2013, and has inked a four-year contract extension which will keep him at the Tigers until 2019.

“I was ecstatic when I heard the news!” he said.

“I’m over the moon as it’s something I’ve wanted to hear for a long time. Just to hear those words that I was to be kept on for a bit longer was just awesome.

“When I first came down here everyone was so welcoming, and that just sold it for me. The coaching staff are great, we have a great set of lads here, so it was an easy choice for me.”

Tigers coach Daryl Powell was also pleased that the player had committed his future to the club.

“Will has so much potential, his size and contingency to develop as a big powerful athlete is immense,” he said.

“He has improved considerably since making his debut last season and another preseason is going to see him grow further as an athlete and as a rugby league player.

“He is handling everything that is being thrown at him at the moment and although his game time has been limited to 10 or 15 minutes stints he has gone really well, I see him a big part of our future both for this season and over the coming years.”