BULLS head of youth John Bastian has spoken of his pride after a dozen new Academy recruits signed up for the 2016 season.

The 12 Academy newcomers will play for Matt Diskin’s Under-19s next term, with eight of them promoted from Leigh Beattie’s Under-16s side.

Beattie’s boys lost just once this season and enter the Academy Championship set-up full of promise, hoping to one day feature at first-team level.

Joe Brown, Jacob Trueman, Matthew Storton, Milo Martin, Jay Panter, Evan Hodgson, Dan Waite-Pullan and Wilf Moxon enter as Under-16 graduates.

Tyron Travis, Charlie Hanson, Tom Sowerby and Bailey Robinson arrive following stints with Leeds, Castleford, Featherstone and Wakefield respectively.

Full back Brown is a product of Stanningley ARLFC, as is front-rower Hodgson and half-back Waite-Pullan.

Half-back Trueman, back-rower Storton and winger Panter all originate from West Bowling, with prop Martin coming via Brighouse Rangers.

Travis is a product of Hunslet Warriors, as is Robinson, while Sowerby and Hanson have come through the ranks at Stanley Rangers.

Bastian, who was appointed last October, said: “I’m really proud as a fair few of them kids could have gone to Super League clubs but they chose to sign with us.

“It shows we are heading in the right direction and doing the little things right to attract these sorts of players.

“It is so important, when we sign junior players, we value the hard work that they have put in to get themselves in a position to sign for a professional rugby league club.

“I see lots of talent in the group that we have got on board.”

Managing director Steve Ferres paid tribute to Bastian, saying: “I think it’s fair to say that 12 months ago we would not have been able to attract the sort of talent we now have.

“John has done a fantastic job in recruiting these kids and retaining the ones we already have.

“The fact there was Super League clubs interested is a great testament to the work being done here.

“There might be a diamond who goes on to play at international level in this group – and I certainly hope so.”

Beattie has been at the club since 2005 and has seen a number of young Bulls make the step up to first-team action.

He is hopeful this batch of talented youngsters can continue that tradition and follow in their footsteps.

“They have all worked extremely hard and bought into what we have been doing,” added the scholarship chief.

“If they keep working as hard as they do now, there are one or two that I can see having big futures in the game.

“I assist Matt Diskin with the Under-19s, so I will be with them through until they hopefully reach the first team.

“There is a buzz around the place again and it is looking good for the future.”