Leeds Rhinos snap up Bristol Sonics rugby league star

Amateur rugby league side Bristol Sonics were celebrating last night after one of their former stars signed for Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos.

Centre Michael Coady had played no Rugby League before joining Bristol Sonics in the summer of 2006.

Three years later, the former Loughborough University student has signed professional terms with 2008 Super League champions Leeds Rhinos – the first former Sonic to turn professional.

Bristol-born Coady was a revelation in his two seasons with the Sonics, scoring a number of scintillating tries and helping the Patchway-based outfit win their first ever silverware – the 2007 Rugby League Conference Midlands Regional Division title.

Coady said: “It has all come about pretty quickly. I first heard of the interest from Leeds two weeks ago and now I have agreed to join them.

“I was fortunate to come along to the Rhinos home game against Huddersfield and really enjoyed the experience. The atmosphere was brilliant, it would be a dream come true to be able to run out at Headingley Carnegie as a Rhinos player in the future but there is still a lot of hard work to do to make that happen.

“I am looking forward to training in a professional environment with the great players that Leeds have. That can only help me develop my game and reach my full potential.

“I have been out for a while since I got glandular fever but I am getting back to my best with every game I play and hopefully I can help Doncaster out for the remainder of the season before I join up with the Rhinos.

“I grew up loving Rugby League and supporting Halifax because of my dad. There was not an opportunity to play professional Rugby League in Bristol when I was younger but I am so happy that I now have a chance to show what I can do for the best club in the country.”

Rhino’s head coach Brian McClennan is pleased to have secured the signature of a talented, young British player.

He added: “Michael is a work in progress but a very exciting prospect. He is a raw talent but he is physical, tough, brave, athletic and most importantly intelligent so I am sure he has all the attributes needed to make a success of his opportunity.

“He is an outside back and is already a pretty big guy but he will get bigger in our development programme. He is a difficult player to tackle and can break the line so you can see why the comparisons to Keith have been made.

“If he achieves half as much as Keith has done during his career we will be more than happy.”

Sonics' Head Coach Karl Fearnley, who first oversaw Coady's switch to League after a youth spent playing rugby union, said: "We're all absolutely chuffed for Mike. He's a great lad and an excellent player.

“He always gave 100 per cent for the Sonics and scored some vital tries for us. He's a terrific prospect and deserves his big chance."

Following two interrupted seasons with the Sonics, Coady opted to remain in Loughborough during the summer of 2008 and played a number of games for the Leicester Phoenix.

In the autumn of 2008 Coady was given a trial by Cooperative Championship side Doncaster.

After a number of impressive performances for the Dons - including a four-try debut in the Northern Rail Cup - Coady has been snapped up by Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

The former Sonic, who also played for England Students at Rugby Union, will remain at Doncaster for the rest of the summer season before linking up with the Rhinos for the 2010 Super League season.

Bristol Sonics Chairman Phil Cole said: "This is a great day for the Sonics.

“To have one of our former players signed by Leeds Rhinos is unbelievable. We all wish Mike the best of luck and will be keeping an eye out for him when he plays for the Rhinos next season.

“He's a talented lad, so maybe he can go all the way and become our first full international!"