Douglas stays with Waratahs

Young lock commits to New South Wales franchise

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 16th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Douglas stays with Waratahs

Douglas: Has commited to Waratahs

I still think I've got a lot of learning to do, I know I can still improve a lot further and I know I'll be able to do that if I stay here.

Kane Douglas
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Rising star Kane Douglas has signed a new two-year contract with the Waratahs in a bid to repay the faith invested in him by the Super 14 franchise.

The 19-year-old lock will remain at the New South Wales club until the end of the 2012 season, giving the side's forward stocks a significant lift.

Douglas has been a key player for Waratahs this season in what has been an uneven start to the Australian side's Super 14 campaign.

Outstanding

After delivering an outstanding debut off the bench in Waratahs' round one victory against Reds last month, the back rower has featured in the team's starting line-up for the last four fixtures.

Douglas is thrilled to be able to continue his improvement at the club that made him a first-team regular.

"I've got a lot to thank the Waratahs for and hopefully I can pay them back not only this year but over the next couple of seasons as well," said Douglas.

"They took a chance on me by inviting me into the program a couple of years ago, and under people like (junior coach) Joe Barakat, (forwards coach) Michael Foley and (senior coach) Chris Hickey I've been able to make it to the Super14.

"I still think I've got a lot of learning to do, I know I can still improve a lot further and I know I'll be able to do that if I stay here."

Douglas, who joined the Waratahs Academy programme in 2008, had not played a match when he was promoted to the senior squad last year.

And the youngster is delighted to be achieving his personal goals so early in the season.

Contribution

"I said at the start of the season that I'd be stoked if I could play five Super 14 matches this year and I've done that already," he said.

"I think now it's about trying to maintain my place in the squad week in, week out and make a solid contribution to the team.

"There's a lot more depth in the second row position than there has been here in the past, so I know if I'm off the pace I'll find myself out of the team. That's a good motivation."