League 1 side sign exciting youngster from club that produced Leeds Rhinos legend

Oldham have announced that local lad Jenson Hamilton, a promising full-back or winger, has come on board ahead of the 2023 Betfred League One season.

The 21-year-old Oldhamer had an impressive season with community club Waterhead Warriors – the club, previously known as Waterhead ARLFC, that produced Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield – last year and comes to us to test himself at a higher level.

Season 2022 was a stellar season for both Jenson, who was named Waterhead’s Player of the Year by coaches Jon Perks and Keith Brennan, and also for the club itself.

Warriors secured promotion to NCL Division Two after winning 18 of their 22 league games, and also lifted both the BARLA Open age National Cup and the Oldham Amateur League’s prestigious Standard Cup.

Jenson comes to us as an amateur, meaning he will be able to keep his chance to play for the England Community Lions under 23s.

Jenson, who attended all our home games last year, said:

“Assistant coach Brendan Sheridan was in touch about coming down to training, and I’ve not looked back; it’s a big thing to play for your home town.

“The level of intensity is a lot higher and the training has been a massive step-up with the calibre of players in the squad.

“Last year couldn’t have gone better for Waterhead, and now I want to push myself, see how I do at a higher level, and see how I cope playing against professionals week in and week out.

“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully we will be pushing to win the league or, if not, to go up through the play-offs.”

Roughyeds’ head coach Stuart Littler said:

“He’s a young, fast player with a high skill set. He scored some outstanding tries last year for Waterhead and had an amazing run of games.

“He was one of their stand-out players — someone we kept our eye on.

“He’s coming for the right reasons and he wants to grasp the opportunity with both hands.

“At Oldham we’re big on providing a platform and providing pathways for players. From what we’ve seen so far he’s a quality individual; he’s got some genuine pace and he’s fitted in really well with the other lads.”