Simon Grix believes Denive Balmforth’s new Hull FC contract is the perfect length to unleash the ‘potential’ in the player. Balmforth, as first reported by Hull Live, put one to paper on a 12-month extension last month, keeping him with the Black and Whites until the end of the 2025 season.
And Grix, who has blooded the young hooker in Super League in recent weeks, is now backing the 20-year-old to nail his targeted improvements and ensure that he earns a long-term deal at the club next year.
Aiming to help keep his feet on the ground, Grix, who has overseen Balmforth play a huge part in recent games against Leeds and Warrington, knows the talent at his disposal, with the interim coach challenging the player to develop more ‘match winning moments’ in future fixtures.
During his weekly press conference, Grix stated, “I absolutely and undoubtedly agree that there is a lot of talent in Denive.” “He has the potential. When I come up here and talk about him, I sound like “Mr Negative,” but as staff, it’s our responsibility to keep him on the ground while everyone else tries to help him up.
“He has potential, but there’s a lot of work to be done between potential and realizing potential.” He understands the areas we’re attempting to focus on and is on board with it. He is aware of the characteristics, output, and numbers of the best hookers. Their levels of involvement are really high, and their moments are more intimate. They’re playing with a lot of minutes.
Denive will work on that over time, but for now, a 12-month deal makes sense for him and his goals. He aspires to push himself in order to secure a longer contract and a more significant role with the team. For us, it’s a short-term assessment to gauge his level of commitment to achieving the gains we anticipate and hope he can achieve so we can recognize his potential. I know I seem pessimistic when I talk about Denive, but he’s a decent player who has shown promise. Again, I’m trying to strike the correct balance.
“Over the past month, he has contributed to several game-changing or game-winning moments, but as much as we’d all like to enjoy those highlights,
Balmforth is one of eight young players who have committed their futures to Hull FC in recent weeks, with the club hoping to continue developing homegrown talent. The hooker has signed new contracts alongside Logan Moy, Zach Jebson, Matty Laidlaw, Harvey Barron, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, and Jack Charles.
The task for Grix and company is to develop them into first-team regulars who will be dependable in both their on- and off-field behavior. Hull is making a lot of effort to ensure the overall development of their young players, so that process is well under way.”I try to be as honest and clear as I can be in my approach to this job,” Grix said. At that point, everyone is aware
“We talked about a number of topics the other morning. Playing rugby league is more than just a career that pays well; it’s a way of life. There is no clocking in and out. Even if you’re not wearing the shirt, you still represent Hull when you go out with your pals, so you still need to act a certain way when you’re not here.
Eating habits, recuperation strategies, and self-care all contribute to the output you generate on the weekends—that’s what it means to be a professional. Nobody enters a job and is immediately a professional; instead, they need some time and guidance from role models.
With our young guys in particular, hopefully, we’re starting to make some progress in developing them into competent professionals within our company. We can begin changing our culture if we can resolve these issues with them as well as with the older lads we are bringing in or keeping.
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