AARON WILLIS DEPARTS

Aaron Willis on the charge against Keighley Cougars (Credit: Andy Shaw)

Young forward departs after three seasons at The Alex

As confirmed by Swinton Lions yesterday afternoon, young second-rower Aaron Willis will depart the club having signed for fellow 2026 Championship side Swinton Lions next season.

Aaron, 21, first signed for the Canes on loan from Castleford Tigers where he went on to make fourteen appearances and score two tries in his first professional season. His performances at just 19 years old impressed Head Coach Mark Dunning so much that he won the club’s 2023 Young Player of the Year award and, more importantly, decided to join the Canes permanently on a two-year deal from the 2024 season onwards.

Aaron quickly become an ever-present member of the starting 17, making 40 further appearances and scoring six tries across both seasons, with his final score coming late in the first half during our 58-4 win over Newcastle Thunder last Sunday. Despite fierce competition from Todd Horner and Sully Medforth, Aaron went on to win the club’s Young Player of the Year award once again at last Sunday’s End of Season awards.

Speaking with CanesTV, Mark Dunning said:

“Aaron’s served the club really well over the last three seasons; he has been a great player to work with and a real professional throughout his stay and will be sorely missed. Whilst we attempted to keep him for 2026, the allure of Swinton being on his doorstep due to circumstances changing in his private life meant we were unfortunately unsuccessful. Despite our disappointment, we fully understand and respect his decision.

I know it was a tough situation for Aaron as well. We had been speaking with him about his future for several months and the emotion he displayed when telling us he had made up his mind - which he described as one of the hardest choices he’s made to date - showed just how much he has enjoyed his time with the club.

I know I speak on behalf of everybody at the Hurricanes, including our loyal supporters, when I say that everyone at the club wishes Aaron and his family nothing but the best for the future.”

We couldn’t say it better ourselves. We’d like to place on record our thanks for everything Aaron has done in his three seasons at the Canes and wish him the best of luck with the next stage of his career (save for when he’s on the other side of the field, of course!).

#DARETODREAM