MAX James will step up to take over as captain of Leicester Lion Cubs in the National Development League next season.
The 17-year-old, who has come through the ranks at the club having initially served as mascot for the senior Lions side, takes over from Joe Thompson who led the Lion Cubs to two league titles in the last three years.
James made his debut during the first of those successes just after he had turned 15 as he quickly made an impact at No.8, and he became a full member of the team in 2023.
This year he put his average up to 7.20 and reeled off a string of big scores in the latter stages of the season, including 14+1 and 16+1 in the key away wins at Sheffield and Oxford as the Lion Cubs clinched the league title at Cowley.
James said: “It’s amazing, having grown up from being mascot all the way to becoming captain of the team is really cool.
“I’m sure the fans will enjoy that, from them seeing me at a young age. I don’t look quite as young now, but I’m sure it’s a really good thing for them to see the progression, and I think it’s nice to see my own progression and to come all this way to be captain.
“I’ve now got to fill Joe’s shoes, and I’ll be trying to mentor the younger riders just like the Thompson twins did.
“This year I went around a few places in the team, and I found my feet. I think I was a bit rusty at the start and I struggled a bit, but when I got put down to reserve I started performing really well.
“The meetings at Sheffield and Oxford were really good for me, and then I moved back to No.5 and stayed good, so I’m hoping to start off the way we finished from last season, and to be a regular heat-leader in the National League.”
James joins Ben Trigger and Ryan Ingram as the first three confirmed signings for the Lion Cubs in 2025, with more expected to be named this week.
