VICE-CAPTAIN'S CONTRACT EXTENDED
Club exercises option to extend Kirby deal
We are delighted to confirm that the Midlands Hurricanes have exercised the option in Vice-Captain Jon-Luke Kirby’s contract, meaning the former Huddersfield Giants and York Knights player will be a Cane in 2026.
Jon-Luke, who shortly turns 27, first joined the Canes towards the end of the 2023 season as one of Head Coach Mark Dunning’s first signings after joining the club. After making five appearances and helping the club secure first ever wins over Doncaster and Oldham, Jon signed an extension that would keep him at The Alex for the 2024 season.
Selected as our Vice-Captain alongside then-Captain Matty Welham, Kirby had a strong first full season with the Canes as he scored three tries in 23 appearances and helped lead the charge as the club qualified for its first ever playoff campaign. Those performances earned him a further contract extension for the 2025 season, with the club retaining an option to extend this until the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Kirby retained his role as Vice-Captain for the 2025 season and continued his strong form by scoring five tries in just eighteen appearances, including a brace during our final game of the season against Newcastle Thunder. Despite having fierce competition in Matty Chrimes, Zeus Silk and Danny Barcoe, Jon-Luke left the 2025 End of Season awards as your Supporters Player of the Year and we have no doubt fans will be overjoyed by this news.
Speaking with CanesTV, Head Coach Mark Dunning said:
“We’re delighted to activate the second year of Jon’s contract.
Since he arrived at the club he has quickly become an integral part of the team and the culture we’re looking to create, leading with his actions and as vice captain has had a real impact.
He’s a top pro and even better bloke and a pleasure to work with.”
CanesTV also spoke with Jon about the club’s decision to extend his contract:
“I am delighted to be staying on for the 2026 season with the Midlands hurricanes for my third full season at the club!
The journey we’ve been on so far has seen us as a club progress massively and it’s been amazing to be a part of that progress. I’m truly excited to see what’s next for our club.
On a personal level I have never enjoyed playing rugby league as much as I have for hurricanes. Which is a testament to the great people who are at the club.
Exciting times are ahead and I’m looking forward to working hard and contributing as much as I possibly can to the clubs future.”
We are excited to hopefully celebrate two milestones for Jon next season, with the prop just three games away from making his 50th Canes appearance and seven games away from making his 100th career appearance.
Jon-Luke Kirby joins Todd Horner as our second confirmed retention for 2026 following the conclusion of the 2025 season, but we’re far from finished in terms of recruitment and are excited to issue plenty of exciting announcements in the coming weeks. Watch this space!
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