Yahoo News Denive Balmforth lays out Hull FC ambition as young hooker opens up on future
It's been over 15 years since Hull FC had a change of guard in the hooker position, but with Danny Houghton revealing that the 2024 season will likely be his last, the door is open for players at the club to stake their claim.
One of the players looking to do just that is Denive Balmforth. Turning 20 last October, the young dummy-half is aware of the healthy competition amongst the squad, but he's determined to make sure he's the one that Houghton passes the torch to at the end of next season.
In the final year of his current deal, there's an extra incentive for Balmforth. He may be Leeds-born, but he's found a home at Hull FC, and he's hellbent to take whatever opportunities come his way in order to earn a new contract.
Speaking to Hull Live, Balmforth said: "I couldn't have anyone better in the league to learn from. Danny is one of the best players of all time in Super League. He's been massive for me, and he helps me out with every little detail.
"It's Danny's last year now, and I've got a lot of work to do so I can have my foot in the door, but he's helped me improve on a lot of technical stuff when it comes to rugby IQ, knowing what to do and when to do it, and not being so chaotic all the time. Rugby is actually quite a simple game, and hooker is a very pivotal position, and you've got to have a cool head for eighty minutes.
"I'm in my last year contracted at the club now, and I know I've got a lot to prove, but there's nowhere else I want to be. I love this club. I've got some really good mates here, and I'm really happy here. The only person it comes down to is myself. I've got to work hard and keep learning. Hopefully, I get given the chance. I won't let anyone down."
Biding his time, Balmforth made four appearances for Hull FC in the 2022 season, scoring on his debut against Toulouse. A promising young player, he spent last season on loan at Newcastle Thunder in the Championship, and while the qualities and number of games he picked up in the north-east were important to his development, he's now glad to be back at his parent club.
"It feels really good to be back," Balmforth continued. "Last season was challenging, but it was good in other aspects. I had some good times and some good experiences, but I'm happy to be home now.
"I got off to a bit of a slow start at Newcastle. I was playing, but I wasn't getting big minutes. As the year went on, it gradually progressed, and at the end of the year, I found myself in good form and being one of the better players in a struggling team.
"It was more physical than what I was used to, but I adapted to it all quite quickly. I am a reasonably big lad for my age, so I didn't struggle with the physical side; it was more the speed of the game that caught me."
Now keen to hit the ground running at the Black and Whites again, Balmforth went to Asia to take part in an unorthodox training programme in the off-season, with the benefits there to see in pre-season training.
"I did some Muay Thai in Thailand," Balmforth explained. "It was an experience. I got my head kicked in a bit by lads half my weight, but it was really good. I learned a lot, and I worked really hard over there.
"I always find it hard in the off-season to drag myself out of bed and get stuff done, but I wanted to make something of this off-season, go out, have a good time, and train hard. It was really beneficial to me.
"We're five weeks into pre-season now, and it's been really good. I've come back in good nick, and it's showing in my training that I worked hard in the off-season. I'm in a good spot at the moment, and I'm looking forward to the season starting."
Remaining patient, Balmforth knows there's a future for him at Hull FC so long as he works hard, and he's chomping at the bit now to impress Tony Smith and ensure it all becomes a reality.
"Tony's been really good with me," Balmforth added. "He's gone into a lot more detail on smaller things to improve my game, what to work on, and what not. I've built up a good connection with Tony, and that's only going to be more beneficial for my game. He's very experienced, and he knows what he's talking about. I couldn't have anyone better in my corner."
