Academy trio sign deal at Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs have given new three-year Academy contracts to three of their promising youngsters.

Tom Hendrickson, Max Bodilly and Jack Oulton, who are all Truro College students, all put pen to paper before yesterday’s LV= Cup match with the Ospreys at Sandy Park, which the Chiefs won 36-22.

Talented centre Hendrickson made his first ever start for the Chiefs against the Welshmen, while his fellow 19-year-old, versatile back Bodilly, and teenage scrum-half Oulton came
off the replacements’ bench to make their Exeter first-team debuts.

Chiefs’ Academy manager Robin Cowling said: "They have all signed three-year contracts with us. They have been part of our Academy since they were 13 and have come
through really well, and we are really pleased they have agreed to sign for another three years.

"They remain England Academy players, so we can still dual-register them."

It is the latest positive news on the Academy front for the club, with Academy products Dave Ewers, Sam Hill and Henry Slade all playing for England Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds last night, while the Chiefs’ Under-18 side are unbeaten this season.

"We are very lucky that Rob (Baxter, head coach) and Ali (Hepher, assistant coach) really buy into the Academy and see the real future of the playing side of the club as being based on the Academy players, which is a terrific boost to us as staff, and a terrific incentive to the players, who really want to be part of life here."

Bodilly and Hendrickson, who was born in Napier in New Zealand, are spending this season on loan with Championship side Cornish Pirates, but a decision is still to be made about where they will be next term.

"We have still got to negotiate which club is the best one for them to dual-register with for next season," explained Cowling. "They have both been very happy and appreciative of what they have done with the Pirates this season, which is definitely a bonus, and while it is not finalised yet, that is likely to continue.

"Jack is a year younger than Tom and Max. He is still at Truro College and his home club is Wadebridge, but we will decide after the pre-season is out of the way in the summer, which
is the best club for him, because it is vital these lads actually play. We want them to get into as high a level as possible, but equally, they must play."