A promising Yarm School rugby player is one step closer to a professional career after signing senior academy terms with the Newcastle Falcons.
Ben Stevenson, 17, who can play as a centre, on the wing or at full-back, has signed for the Aviva Premiership side for next season.
Ben will combine his rugby with studying for a Law degree at Durham University, upon completing his A-Levels.
In addition to playing for Yarm School’s 1st XV, Ben stepped up to play senior rugby this season for Blaydon RFC, in National League One, having previously played for Middlesbrough RFC.
He has been part of the Falcons’ setup through the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Developing Player Programme, which has included playing for the club’s A-team against Sale Sharks and Durham University.
Mark Laycock, Newcastle Falcons Academy Director, said: “We are delighted Ben has signed with us for next season. He is a very talented athlete with bags of potential, and I am confident he will do really well both academically and with his rugby. He is a very bright lad who wishes to continue with his studies, and we will support him in that.
“A number of our first-team players have gone down that route, like Simon Hammersley and Sean Robinson, and he has already played senior rugby. He played for the Falcons’ A-team when he was just 16; he scored with his first touch for Blaydon in National One this season and has gone well for them.”
Stuart Hardy, Head of Rugby at Yarm School, said: “When Ben joined Yarm School it was obvious that he was an outstanding athlete with huge rugby potential. He has continued to develop this through his time at Yarm School and his involvement with Newcastle Falcons. We wish him all the best in the future and we are all excited to see how his career progresses.”