Blake Broadbent re-signs on two-year deal
25/10/2021
Sheffield Eagles are delighted to confirm the retention of Blake Broadbent on a two-year deal.
The forward signed for the club in 2018 after a successful trial period and went on to score on his first-team debut before enjoying a successful season with Sheffield in 2019.
The son of Eagles’ 1998 Challenge Cup captain Paul Broadbent, Blake followed in his father’s footsteps with a Wembley win of his own and the prop is targeting more success with the club as it moves back to the Olympic Legacy Park.
“I’m delighted to extend my stay with Sheffield,” said Broadbent.
"It’s my hometown club, it’s the team I grew up supporting and it’s the team I’ve played for since I was 15-years old, so it’s great to be staying with the exciting times on the horizon.
“It shows a bit of faith from the club in me which I appreciate.
“I’ve always been grateful for the opportunity that Sheffield has given me in the professional game and I think offering me a two-year deal extends that a little bit more.
“It means I can get my head down and focus on playing my best rugby and progress in the ways I need to.”
‘Beans’ spoke with Eagles Director of Rugby Mark Aston, who convinced the 22-year-old that his immediate future should be with the South Yorkshire club.
“I talked to Tubby (Mark Aston) about the long-term plan for the club and where it’s going,” he added.
“There’s never been a better time to be a part of Sheffield Eagles.
“The way we’re heading and the way it’s going to end up in years to come should be something that gets everyone involved with the club excited because it’s going to be great.”
Broadbent reflected on his time with the club which began as a supporter after signing his two-year extension: “I remember being a young lad and going down to watch at Don Valley and seeing the big crowds that we used to be able to draw in,”
“It’s going to be an exciting time, being back where we belong, and hopefully we can capitalise on the field as well as off it.”
The forward spoke about his targets for 2022 with regular minutes a clear goal for Broadbent.
“It’s a big year for myself,” he said.
“I want to push on and make a bit of a statement and nail down a spot in that starting 13, which won’t be an easy task.
“We’ve got a really talented squad for next year so it’ll be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it.
Eagles chief Mark Aston is happy to tie Broadbent down on a two-year deal and speaking of the prop’s potential, he said: “Blake is getting better and there is no doubt about that,”
“Where he came from to where he is now, he’s a million miles away.
“He’s played a lot of Championship rugby and has shown he can handle it.
“The next couple of years are massive for him, he needs to put a bit more size on and get fitter.
“He is still young. He’s going to get better and that’s why he’s been rewarded with a couple of years.
“Can he now establish himself as a starting front-rower which is what he wants to be?
“He’s a good kid, hard working and honest which fits the bill of what we want around the club.”
By Lewis Coleman, photo by Alex Coleman