Latest Castleford Tigers signing shows his maturity as he safeguards his future

Castleford Tigers have signed youngster Bailey Dawson today having signed young Hull FC halfback Jacob Hookem earlier this week.

Dawson spent time with Hull KR but joins having had first team experience with Midlands Hurricanes.

He explained how important that experience was: “It was valuable experience. It was beneficial for my career. I had some good and some bad games, but it was definitely great experience for my career and for me to grow as a player.”

He also identified former Huddersfield Giants star Kenny Edwards as someone he is looking forward to playing with:

“Kenny Edwards is a player I’d like to play with, he skips around a lot and he’s kind of a free back-rower and I like that a lot. He plays the game hard so he’s definitely someone I’ll be looking up to and to learn off.”

Alongside playing for the Tigers, Dawson will be studying at University Centre Leeds where the Tigers Foundation’s link with the university offers young players the chance to study a degree alongside their playing career as he represents, alongside Hookem, a new attitude amongst young players who are eager to safeguard their future.

Corey Hall of Wakefield Trinity has done the same as has former Leeds Rhinos youngster Will Gatus.

On this, Dawson said: “I got given the opportunity to go to university and study a sports course. It’s really beneficial to young players to get an education as well. Getting a degree whilst training is perfect, it’s an ideal situation. Rugby careers aren’t long lasting so it’s perfect for me to go down that route and gain an education.”