Oli Field agrees new contract with the York Knights

Field will initially remain a York player until the end of the 2025 season, joining Joe Brown in agreeing new terms with the club. 

The Knights youngster first joined the North Yorkshire side on a one-month loan deal from Leeds Rhinos in March 2023, solidifying his spot as a back-rower under former Head Coach Andrew Henderson.

His impressive form as a Knights player saw Field earn a two-year contract, making his stay permanent. 

In his first season as a Knight, Field contributed seven tries in 26 appearances, which was more than any other forward in the previous season. 

Field has currently added six tries within the 2024 season, and has shown his versatility throughout the campaign. 

Field was delighted to be agreeing new terms with the club, saying: "I think I've found my home here, I loved my time at my previous club Leeds but I think the way it was and playing for the reserves I didn't feel really part of a team. 

"Joining York has given me the opportunity to play week in and week out for the last year or so now. 

"It's something that I've really enjoyed and I think I've grown as a person and as a player as well.

"There's a really good group here. As a team we're a really close knit bunch and everyone's really good mates with each other and I think you don't get that at a lot of clubs. 

"The club as a whole is a really family orientated club and I think that as a team together we've got a chance to do something really special over the next couple of years which has driven my decision to re-sign. 

"I'm looking forward to the next year and a bit."

Field would go on to speak about his development, adding that he hopes to remain a core member of the squad as part of his new contract.

"In my age group, it's going to be a real crucial year for development," Field explained.

Oli Field has signed a new deal with the York Knights. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

"The game time has gotten me first team experience which can take awhile to get used to 

"The Championship is a great standard now, I've definitely come on in my physicality because of that and I'd like to see where it could go over the next year or so as well." 

Field also reflected on the season so far on a personal level, which included a stint on the sidelines through illness and injury.

The youngster added: "I've had a bit of a bumpy year with illness and missed six/seven weeks through the middle of the year and just starting to feel like I'm getting close to where I was before now. 

"Obviously, it's important for me to get a good run towards the end of the year now and keep my spot in the team. 

"I've been here over a year now and you have lads coming in from everywhere and I'm probably not considered a young lad anymore so I probably have to take a bit of a step up on the leadership front. 

"I obviously need to get my own performance sorted first and make sure I'm playing well and off the back of that take a bit of a leadership role and start to help them lads that are coming through as well and teach them things that I've learnt."

"I've definitely got plenty of stuff to learn myself as well. 

"I want to keep working on the physicality of first team rugby and that is something you can get through playing - the more games I play the more I get used to the physicality and the fitness. 

"The more I get used to that, I'll feel I've developed as a player.

"We can build off a strong end to the season - first and foremost we want to finish this year really well and I think once we do that we've given ourselves a platform for next year to kick on a little bit. 

"To have a full pre-season under Mash (Mark Applegarth) we'll develop as a team even further and we'll be pushing towards that top end of the Championship. 

"Mash has come in over the last six or seven weeks and given me loads to work on and has been on at me a fair bit, but I think it's definitely warranted and I feel like I'm developing a lot more in my role. 

"We've had a few injuries, I'm currently playing centre but it's about being capable wherever the team needs me. 

"All three coaches Mash [Applegarth], Cooke and Ged and Will have helped me all in different ways and different aspects of the game. 

Field also looked back upon his memories as a York player, as well as the development of the squad during his tenure with the club.

"Bradford away last year was a really good win, we had a bit of a depleted side and then Batley at home where Liam kicked a drop goal in the last few minutes was great," Field enthused.

"A couple of moments there from the end of last year which I think we can take confidence from. 

"It's not the exact same squad but the core group of players is still there and I think we can take a bit of confidence from that and hopefully we can piece together some other towards the end of this year as well."

York RLFC Chairman Clint Goodchild also reacted to the new deal for Field, saying: "Oli Field is an emerging talent who I believe has his best rugby ahead of him. 

"As he grows into a leader in the group he will continue to develop himself and those around him. 

"It's great to have a local lad continue his professional career here at his home club."