The Championship has seen plenty of signings for the 2023 season with some big names being brought in but also plenty of players as well.
One of the teams who have made a significant number of signings are Newcastle Thunder with the North-East side under the new leadership of Chris Thorman adding plenty.
The latest of those signings is Mac Walsh who formerly played for Wakefield Trinity in their academy set-up.
Studying at Newcastle University the centre should fit in well having impressed during pre-season after an invite from head coach Chris Thorman.
Thunder announced the news via their Twitter with a link to their site where both Walsh and Thorman made comments.
The 18-year-old said: “I’m really excited to have signed for Thunder and get back to playing rugby league. Newcastle’s a great city and I’m really enjoying my time here.
“It’s been great meeting up with the lads in training and I look forward to what the season has in stall for the club.”
✍️ 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿!
⚡ Former Wakefield Trinity prospect @MacWalsh8 joins the ranks at Newcastle Thunder, signing a one-year deal.
— Newcastle Thunder (@ThunderRugby) January 9, 2023
During his time at the university Walsh had been impressing in the union side but the return to his roots and rugby league helped sway the signing for Thunder.
Newcastle Thunder head coach, Chris Thorman said: “Mac is currently a Newcastle University student but has gone through the academy system at Wakefield Trinity.
“He probably could have stayed with them and got himself a Super League contract, but in a decision to put his education first he took up the course at Newcastle University, which is something very admirable and shows the type of character he is.
“I had heard some great things about Mac and knew Mark Applegarth, head coach at Wakefield, held him in really high regard, so we invited him down to train with the squad and see how he got on.
“He really did impress. He’s only 18 so a young lad, but he’s well put together physically. He moves well, he’s athletic and very capable in the gym. Adding those things together with what he brings on the field, there really is a lot of potential in his game and I look forward to working with him on it.
“From the club’s perspective, our ties with the universities in the region is another pathway we’ve highlighted that can lead into the first team potentially. These connections are only going to help the club grow moving forward.”
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