Exciting Newcastle youngster promoted into the first team squad

Newcastle Thunder are clearly a club on the up, with an exciting 2022 ahead of them following some major signings going into next season.

The Thunder have signed 2017 Super League Grand Finalist Alex Foster – the second-row even crossed for Castleford’s only try of the game in the 24-6 defeat – and former Wigan Warrior Mitch Clark going into 2022.

But the exciting times at Newcastle aren’t limited to the new signings coming in or the the experienced cohort currently at the club. There’s also a lot to be enthusiastic about in the academy especially as Nathan Clemmitt steps up into the senior ranks.

The backrower is one of a number of exciting youngsters at the club alongside the likes Alex Donaghy and Isaac Nokes and has impressed at every level of the club’s academy from Under 15s all the way through.

He even became the youngest player to ever play for Newcastle’s first team when he featured in a friendly against Whitehaven in February 2019 at the age of just 16. An England Under 16s international, he’s shown great pedigree at such a young age and has incredible promise now just 19.

Named in Newcastle’s extended squad for the games against Sheffield and Batley last year, he looked set to break into the first team proper before untimely injuries got in the way.

Keen to play for the first team in 2022, he’ll combine his new deal with his studies at Northumbria University next year.

Having been promoted to the first team squad, Clemmitt spoke about his ambitions ahead of 2022:“I’m looking forward to being part of the first team.  I’ve trained with Heapy and the academy for the last three years and think that has prepared me a bit in what to expect.

“When I came into that, it was a big step up from the community game and I think it will be similar again, but I’m looking forward to the challenge to come.

“I don’t want to be just a side member; I want to be someone who is pushing for a first team spot and not just here to make up the numbers.”