GIANTS BUILD FOR THE FUTURE

Huddersfield Giants are delighted to announce young back-rower Archie Sykes has penned a two-year professional contract at the club.

With the earlier announcement that Jacob Algar has signed a professional contract, the announcements keep coming from the Giants pathway system with Archie Sykes the next to commit his future with the club.

Sykes, a powerful back-rower that has been with the club since Scholarship level, will become a first-team member from December 1st with Jacob and numerous other players from the same cohort, to be announced in due-course.

Hailing from Old Rishworthians RUFC, where he played as a junior, before making the switch to League, Archie was named in Luke Robinson's 21-Man Squad to face Leeds Rhinos and also has been awarded squad number 33.

Steve Fox, Academy Head Coach commented on overseeing Archie's development over the years.

"Extremely proud, I've had the privilege of working with Archie for the last four years and we're all looking forward to seeing him out there in the future for the first team.

"He's been in training with the first team and Robbo and Finny have been keeping an eye on him, he's been playing regular reserves and academy and has been a great leader to the younger generation of the academy, especially the first year lads.

"We've got a great set of Talent ID scouts here at the Giants, especially Sean Folan who spotted Archie years ago and alerted me to him, to ask if he was worth a deal, we've got a great pathway system here with promising players who are pushing forward.

"We'd like to give a special mention to Archie's Rugby Union club who played a huge part in his development and he wouldn't be where he is now without them."

Archie discussed his professional contract.

"I couldn't quite believe it really, I've just got my head down and worked hard for the past few years, but it came as a shock to me, I just need to continue the work ethic that's got me here and the rest will follow.

"I always trust in the coaches that have taught me loads in the past few years, after training with the first team a few times I always look up to the middles, especially players Like Leroy on what they can teach me to make me a better player."

Watch the full interview by checking out the preview show, which will be available later on this evening on our official YouTube channel.