Hull FC have begun a new rugby league development partnership.
Hull FC have begun a new rugby league development partnership with the University of Hull, with the hope of strengthening the city’s player pathways and creating further opportunities for student athletes to progress in the professional game.
The partnership will give more time and more opportunity to develop young players, particularly those in the Hull FC reserve setup who are still in education and, in some cases, training with the first team. It will mirror the partnership seen at academy level at Bishop Burton College, with many members of the Black and Whites’ under-18s squad also in education.
Meanwhile, the new partnership extends Hull’s roots at the university, with the side training at the campus since late 2022. Last year, a new purpose-built club hub was completed, with the club operating all of its rugby operations out of the facility.
The agreement will also see Hull FC reserves, who will be coached by club legend Danny Houghton and supported by Francis Cummins in 2026, train alongside the University of Hull Rugby League team. Houghton assisted the academy coaching alongside Cummins last season in his first role since retiring as a player at the end of the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, the University of Hull Rugby League team is currently coached by Sam French, Hull FC’s Head of Community Foundation, and overseen by the University of Hull Sport Performance Manager and former Hull FC player Connor Bower. The university team have started the 2025/2026 academic season strongly, winning their opening four fixtures in the BUCS Men’s Northern Tier 1 league.
“This partnership is another step forward in our commitment to developing local talent and giving players more time to progress,” Hull FC’s Head of Youth Richard Tate said. “It gives more promising young players and late developers within the game the chance to experience a professional environment while continuing their education at a world-class university.”
Bower added, “We’re proud to build on our strong relationship with Hull FC. By working more closely with the club’s Reserve team, we’re providing our students with a clear pathway to progress in Rugby League, both on and off the field.”