Salford Red Devils Education Academy’s Sam Bardsley has started training with the first team following an impressive spell with the Academy sides.
Bardsley said: “All the first team lads were really welcoming, and I really enjoyed training with them. It was great to experience what they go through on a day-to-day basis.
“It was quite intense, but I feel like I managed it well and fit in well amongst the group after Head Coach Ian Watson had introduced me to everyone.”
Salford Red Devils Director of Rugby and Operations Ian Blease said: “It is important that we give our youngsters the right environment in which to build their career.
“Getting them training in the first team system is the first step in that line of progression.
“Sam is a local talent who has earned his opportunity to train with the first team after impressing with the Salford Red Devils Education Academy over the last few years.”
Bardsley continued: “I just want to stay at Salford Red Devils for as long as possible and continue to grow as a player and learn from the lads in the first team who’ve lots of experience.
“If anybody wants it enough and has the drive to try and break through here at Salford and try and train with the first team there’s no reason they can’t.
“Myself and a few other of the Salford Red Devils Education Academy lads have had the opportunity to train with the first team and hopefully we can make the most of the chance we’ve been given.”
