KEIGHLEY Albion have announced that current Super League player and Wakefield Trinity star Jack Croft will be joining the club's senior coaching team to work directly with the under-18s academy.

A product of the Keighley Albion Juniors pathway, which now boasts 17 of its players currently affiliated to professional clubs, Croft was awarded a senior academy contract at Wakefield in 2017, having previously represented Yorkshire and England at youth level.

At just 19 years old, he was called up to Trinity's first team in 2019, making his debut in the Challenge Cup Quarter Final against St Helens, scoring a try early in the game.

Croft has gone on to play regular Super League games for Trinity in the 2020 season, where he has featured in the centre and on the wing.

Hailing from Addingham, Croft has recently graduated from Wakefield College on the Level 3 Sport & Rugby Development Programme with a distinction, distinction, merit (DDM) and is passionate about giving back to the club.

He will be working with Keighley's 16 to 18-year-old players, developing individual skill sets and helping to create a successful Albion academy side in 2021, while progressing his own career as a promising young coach.

It’s also hoped, with Croft’s position as a full-time professional at Wakefield Trinity, his contacts will see even more opportunities for aspiring Albion players to reach the professional game.

With many talented current U16 and U17 players already at the club this season, both individual and team success is definitely on the cards for this exciting age group.

The Albion U18s academy have a fantastic reputation within youth rugby league already.

In 2019 - the last full campaign prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the academy were victorious in both the U18s League and the Continuation Cup knockout competition.

Three of that side's players also signed for Wakefield's academy - Bobby Darbyshire, Nico Devittoris and Josh Slingsby.

By securing the services of Croft, the 2021 season looks set to be another successful season for the age group.

Albion are still searching for more experienced coaches to join their coaching teams ahead of the 2021 season.

If you are an enthusiastic rugby league coach who would like to work alongside a current Super League player, or an ex-professional wanting to work towards your coaching certificates with an ambitious club, please get in touch by directly messaging the club's Facebook page.