YOUNGSTER LEAKE PENS NEW DEAL

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce youngster Alfie Leake has signed a new three-year deal until the end of the 2028 season!

The 18-year-old is a product of the club’s Elite Academy pathway system and made an instant impression on debut for the First Team in December’s pre-season win over Keighley Cougars – taking four defenders over the line for a powerful late try. 

Alfie’s progression into the first team has continued a long-lasting family tradition for the Leake’s. Alfie’s Grandad’s Great Uncle, Billy Leake, made his debut for Bradford Northern in 1947 before going on to lift the Challenge Cup in 1949.

As he continues his own journey in the red, amber and black – the young forward is keen to ‘learn from the best’ and provide extra selection headaches for Lee Greenwood and Brian Noble this year. 

“Emotions are very high, if you could bottle them up you could make a few quid off them! When I found out about the deal, I was buzzing! Ever since I was a kid I have been a Bradford fan and have been coming to games with my dad and family, it’s unbelievable” said Leake, who is sponsored by Estate Sawmills. 

“When I joined the Scholarship program we did some research, I spoke to my Grandparents and my Grandad’s Great Uncle played for Bradford Northern in the 1940’s and won the Challenge Cup. Hearing that was a great feeling as I thought it must run in the family, it will be good to recreate that knowing I’m not the first Leake to play for Bradford, that was a goal of mine to recreate that. 

“It was nerve wracking [playing against Keighley], you visualise before every game what it will be like to run out for the team you’ve grown up supporting, I just told myself to give it all I have got. I felt on top of the world when the try was given, I couldn’t help but think what my family’s reaction would be in the crowd. 

“Someone of Brian Noble’s calibre and experience, he can spot a good player so I will take the fact he wants to me stay I will take into my stride, it still comes with the pressure of wanting to work hard and keep impressing to maintain that opinion of me and to keep the opportunity I am lucky enough to have been provided. 

“I try be a sponge and soak up as much information as possible, working so closely with Michael Lawrence I have learnt how important being a captain is. James Donaldson too is a very good leader, anything I struggle with he is always tipping me up and helping me out. 

“I want to make as many first team appearances as I can, I will do my best to get in the thoughts of Nobby [Brian Noble] and Greeny [Lee Greenwood] when they pick the squad, my job is to go as hard as I can and make it difficult for them but I will help the team anyway I can.” 

Head Coach Brian Noble believes the Bulls have secured the services of a ‘very good player’ – praising Leake’s attitude and approach. 

“I am thrilled Alfie has signed, he is clearly enjoying what we are doing. He got into the mix at the start of the year along with others, and he has really impressed with what he dishes up, with his attitude and his approach to being a Rugby League player,” said Noble, who is sponsored by Paints and Lacquers. 

“Now we have secured his services, we can look to get him into the first team as soon as we can, I really like what he offers and I think he’s a very good player. He portrays all the behaviours a good, young player needs to and now we need to help him speed up his development. 

“He doesn’t whinge, he goes about his business quietly and efficiently both when he plays and when he’s in practice, he has an impact and doesn’t stand out for the wrong reasons which for an 18-year-old is fantastic. 

“We think we see something in him and training with our top squad will be better for him than not, so I am hoping to see some huge improvements across the year. 

“Coaches can give direction but there’s a lot of people in the changing rooms who do it week in, week out and Michael Lawrence is the first player I would go to in Alfie’s position. It is exciting he has committed to us and I can only reinforce we expect big things from him.”