PETER Gentle believes the future of Hull FC is in safe hands as the club start to see the rewards of their investment in youth.
Having placed a priority on overhauling the club's youth structure upon his arrival 18 months ago, the Hull coach has always been willing to give his younger squad players a chance.
That philosophy has paid dividends for Gentle this season with the emergence of Tom Lineham and Ben Crooks as a regular starting partnership on Hull's right.
The duo, coupled with the presence of Chris Green, Josh Bowden, Liam Watts and Joe Arundel, has given the Black and Whites a real youthful look to them this season.
Hull have fielded 11 players aged 23 and under so far this season and last week rewarded Dean Hadley and Jamie Shaul, the latest two to make the breakthrough, with new deals.
And Gentle says it has been rewarding to see the hard work of players and coaches pay off.
"It's extremely satisfying to see the young kids come through and very pleasing to be able to reward them with contracts," he said.
"Dean and Jamie deserved their new deals. There's Josh Bowden, Ben Crooks and Tom Lineham, so there are quite a few coming through and they are our future who we want to build around.
"It is about balancing the team and the squad, but right throughout the club we are doing a lot of good work, with Andy Last and Danny Wilson and the work we are doing in the under-19s and under-16s.
"We are now starting to see the rewards and hopefully that continues."
Hull have now tied the majority of their young players to long-term contracts, with only Jack Briscoe and Alex Starling of the current younger members of the squad still out of contract at the end of the season.
• HULL have finally confirmed the departure of assistant coach Andy Hay.
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