Roberts extends Giants stay
Huddersfield Giants have confirmed that promising back rower Oliver Roberts has signed a deal at the club which should see him stay put until the end of the 2019 season.
The 21-year-old is delighted to be staying put, and believes that spending time with Mark Aston’s Ireland squad has helped his development as a player.
“When I was approached I simply sat down for a few minutes and thought to myself I am very happy here,” he said.
“It’s local to where I live, and the training and fitness work is improving my game, so why can’t I take the opportunity and really establish myself here in Super League.
“I had a chat with my family and manager and we all agreed everything at Huddersfield suits me so we got the contract drawn up and signed.
“I think we’ve a great side which has been shown even when some of the older players have been out and I want to establish myself in the top 17 week in week out.
“I think the time away with Ireland really helped my game, as I did stall a bit with not playing last year for various reasons.
“But now as I say I hope the week in week out game time will really help me push on and that I can help the team back up the league table.”
Giants coach Paul Anderson believes that Roberts has a impressive future ahead of him with the club.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Ollie has lots of improvements to come in his game and is someone that the club should invest in longer term,” he said.
“His body shape and general conditioning are starting to come together as he grows older and spends more and more time in our environment.
“He was unlucky last year with game time but he never complained about the situation and simply got his head down and worked hard for his chance to come.
“I agree with him that the International games helped him and he came back into pre-season with renewed confidence after doing well with Ireland, and he has taken the chance in the team he was given with some decent performances to date.
“His challenge is to keep improving physically and skill wise and to keep his place in the side when our more experienced guys return.
“We have always been a club that has given chances to young British players who are hungry to succeed, and Ollie fits the bill.
“So it’ll be good for us all to know that he’s around for the long term now.”