Australian halfback makes Championship move

Whitehaven have announced the signing of Australian halfback or hooker Alex Bishop on a one-year deal. 

Bishop, 27 has played for a number of clubs down under including the Redcliffe Dolphins and North Devils but will come to England and wear Haven colours in 2022.

Head coach Jonty Gorley spoke about the signing of Bishop saying: “It’s great to have a player of Alex’s pedigree come to Whitehaven. He’s played over 100 games in the intrust cup and to do that you must be a decent player.

“During that time he has played for the Broncos and Storm feeder teams playing alongside numerous NRL players.

“Alex will bring this experience and that will be a massive boost for us with him playing in the halves. He can also cover hooker equally as good as he performs at half.

“We’ve tried for two years to get his signature and finally we have it.

“Signing someone like Alex adds quality to my squad and gives me different options for team selection.”

Speaking about making the switch to England, Bishop spoke saying: “ I’m grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and look forward to getting over there, meeting everyone and playing some good footy.”

Director Ashley Kilpatrick said: “I’m delighted to get Alex over the line he’s a half back who we have been chasing for a long time we looked at bringing Alex over for this season but due to his work back in Oz it wasn’t viable, now to finally get him over the line and have him coming here next year is brilliant news for us, he is a vastly experienced half back in the Queensland cup comp Alex has played for some very good teams in that comp.

“I’ve been speaking to Alex for the last 12-18 months about coming here, he is a great lad to speak to, down to earth and I believe he will fit right in. He is friends with former haven coach Don Gailer who has sold the area to him.”