FOUR York youngsters have signed two-and-a-half-year professional contracts with Featherstone Rovers after shining in their youth set-up.

York Acorn ARLC juniors Jordan Myers, Jack Byrnes and Joe Deighton, along with Heworth’s Jordan Potter, have been part of Rovers’ scholarship programme for the past two years, representing the Championship club in youth matches against Super League opposition and achieving significant wins against Widnes, Crusaders and Sheffield Eagles.

As part of their deals, the quartet will also attend Featherstone College where they will complete 12-month advanced apprenticeships in sports excellence, which is a level 3 NVQ, as well as BTEC Level 3 diplomas in sport, which are equivalent to ‘A’ levels.

At the Rovers’ scholarship end-of-season presentation evening, Deighton (who has been sponsored by Yorkshire Curtainsiders) picked up the scholar of the year award, Byrnes (Dunning Plant Hire) received the most improved player gong and Potter (Atlanta Gym York, Robert Bowett Motoring Leeds) was nominated for the best try of the season.

Potter, 16, was also drafted in to Rovers under-18s squad last week to make his career debut on the wing against Sheffield, helping his side to an emphatic 94-14 victory, and scoring with his third touch.

Potter said: “It was much tougher and faster than what I’ve been used to and the hits were much harder, but I really enjoyed it and hope I am selected again.”

Over the last two years, all four have received offers from Super League outfits but remained at Rovers.