News

Posted: Sunday 22nd November 2020

Holmes extends contract for 2021

Castleford Tigers are pleased to confirm that home-grown talent Oliver Holmes has extended his contract with the club for 2021.

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The 28-year old is one of the Fords’ #ONECLUB men after coming through Castleford’s youth Academy he has only ever played his domestic rugby for the Tigers since debuting in 2010, and back in February, he made his 200th appearance for the club.

It means that Holmes will enter his twelfth season as a Tigers player in 2021 and speaking about the news he was delighted to be staying at the club he has been at since he left secondary school.

“It’s a great achievement being at the club for such a long time and shows a lot of loyalty from both sides, from myself and the club and I’m looking to build on it. I wanted to be here for next year and beyond so it’s a starting point and we’ve got next year to look forward to.”

T&A Maintenance has proudly sponsored Oliver in 2020 and the Tigers are delighted the local building and civil engineering company will continue their player sponsorship in 2021.

Whilst the 2020 season did not pan out the way he wanted; Holmes believes it will drive the Tigers to do better in the next campaign.

“Having the year that we have had I think we will have a bit more coal on the fire really to make that desire burn and push us even harder throughout pre-season to make sure that next year is a successful year for us."

In a message to the Fords faithful Holmes added: “We will be looking forward to getting fans back into our stadium, looking to right a few wrongs and make sure we can do that with our fans in front of us."

Head Coach Daryl Powell is pleased to retain the services of Holmes for another year and said: “Oliver has come through our system and you can see how much he loves the club; he works so hard and I think it’s demonstrated in his massive defensive efforts. He will do anything you ask him to do, whether it’s his favoured position in the back-row, or you ask him to go in the middle and he’ll go in there, tough as teak, and do what he needs to do.

“He carries the ball strong and is a really tough, resilient defender and I’m delighted he will be staying with Castleford and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him. He has been an awesome player since I’ve been here at the club and his leadership is growing all the time.”

Director of Rugby at Castleford Tigers Jon Wells was delighted with the news and said: "Oli has shown real maturity over the last 12 months, he has always been a valuable player for us and I’m pleased he gets to go around again. The core of this squad is what drives its culture and Oli will once again play his part in driving the squad forward next season."