Senior Academy place for talented back Marshall
After announcing the signing of Ben Harris for 2015/16, the club is pleased to announce that Dan Marshall will also be joining Newcastle Falcons as part of its senior academy structure for the season.
A winger and fullback who is a product of Ponteland Rugby Club, Marshall is also a pupil at Gosforth Academy as part of the AASE scheme and made his first appearance for the club as part of the squad for last summer’s Premiership Rugby 7s series finals night at the Twickenham Stoop.
He has subsequently played in development team games against Sale U23s and Durham University and has earned his place in the senior academy as a result.
As part of his AASE commitments, Marshall is currently in the thick of the action for Gosforth, scoring the try that defeated Henley in Wednesday’s semi final with full time beckoning.
Speaking after signing his new agreement, Marshall said: “I’ve been a supporter and coming to the games since I was really little. I live in Kingston Park, so it’s an honour to have worked my way through and have a chance to play out on that pitch.
“I started with football when I was little and played rugby alongside that, but it came to a point when I had to chose one of the other, which with the help of my dad I went the way of rugby, which has obviously paid dividends in terms of where I am sat today.
“Hopefully I can be involved in the A team next season and maybe the sevens again but just to be involved more closely with the club and learning from players in my position like Sinoti or Alex will hopefully rub off on me and give me the chance to progress as a player.
Academy Manager Mark Laycock said: “Dan is an extremely talented player and a particularly brave defender. He is only 17 but is already starting to show what he can do and that last minute try in the semi final backs up a quality last minute kick in last year’s final that won the AASE competition for Gosforth.
“He has begun to feature for Tynedale’s first team and while he does have work to do until he is the finished article, but there is a lot of potential to be unlocked and I’m looking forward to seeing him progress.”
