Another Homegrown Talent Emerges at St Helens as Academy Scrum-half George Whitby Tipped for Bright Future
The sight of teenage prop Noah Stephens making his senior debut in St Helens’ recent 60-4 win at Castleford Tigers served as a heartening reminder of the club’s impressive youth development system. Now, all eyes are on another promising academy graduate, scrum-half George Whitby, who is being tipped for a bright future with the Super League champions.
Whitby, an 18-year-old hailing from the heartland of St Helens, has been touted as a special talent for some time. The local lad, who comes from a family of staunch Saints supporters, has been a part of the club’s scholarship system since the age of 14 and has progressed through the ranks, signing for the academy at 16.
“George can’t get enough information, plus he’s always asking questions and continually reviewing his own performances.” – Derek Traynor, Saints academy coach
Described as a “traditional scrum-half with the ability to guide his team around the park”, Whitby boasts a strong kicking game and excellent organizational skills that suit the position he plays. Saints academy coach Derek Traynor praised the youngster’s commitment, saying, “George can’t get enough information, plus he’s always asking questions and continually reviewing his own performances.”
With academy graduate Lewis Dodd headed for South Sydney Rabbitohs at the end of this season, the scrum-half spot at St Helens will need filling. Whitby, along with fellow rookie Will Roberts, will be in the mix to potentially step up and learn from the likes of experienced half-back Jonny Lomax.
While Traynor doesn’t necessarily see Whitby making his debut this year, he remains confident the dedicated youngster will make the grade at the Super League club. “He will benefit from having a full pre-season with the first-team and getting used to the speed at which they play. You couldn’t meet a more dedicated lad and, from the moment he came in as a 14-year-old, he’s done everything to the maximum.”
As St Helens continue to prioritize youth development, the emergence of talents like George Whitby serves as a promising sign for the club’s long-term future in rugby league.
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