Widnes Vikings youngster Jack Owens has signed a two-year contract extension that ties him to the Super League club until the end of the 2016 season.
Owens, who turns 19 in June, broke into the Vikings first team in 2011 and he collected the Man of the Match award against Barrow Raiders shortly after.
The teenager knows he still has much to learn, although he insists featuring alongside experienced players such as Shaun Briscoe, Rhys Hanbury and Cameron Phelps has helped his game immensely.
"I signed a professional contract at Widnes when I was 16 and when Denis approached me a couple of weeks ago, more than anything, I was just made up to be offered a deal to stay at the club for longer," he told the club's official website.
"I'm learning something new every single day from the likes of Shaun Briscoe and Rhys Hanbury and their input is really helpful. Cameron Phelps is another player that gives me lots of encouragement and advice when I'm playing on the wing outside of him.
"Working under Denis (Betts) and his coaching staff is really hard, although we do have plenty of laughs along the way. Their work ethic and attitude really rubs off on the players and the set-up here at Widnes is fantastic. Even Kevin Brown admitted to being blown away when he first arrived and he's played the game at the highest level for a long time.
"I just want to kick-on now and get as much game time under my belt as possible. Obviously I'm still a young lad and I know that I've got to be patient, but when the opportunities do arise, I'll be ready to take them and make the most of them."
Vikings head coach Betts is extremely pleased to reward a young player, who has successfully progressed through the club's pathway system.
"Retaining the senior players in our squad is important, but it is equally as important for us to remember that the future of this club lies in our young, emerging talent," said Betts.
"Nobody encapsulates that more than Jack Owens. He's matured as he's made his way through the ranks, and we've found out this year in a full-time environment that he has the ability to be able to hold his own in Super League quite easily.
"I think he's a great full-back but he's also got some flexibility in his game and has grown into the wing role, too. He's got pace, he can catch a high ball, he can kick and I don't think there's any position in the back-line that Jack couldn't fill.
"We wanted to retain him and reward him and with an extended contract and by doing so, we're now able to keep him at the club and look after him for a much longer period."