Nicholls 2020-21 Contract Extension

12th July 2019

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the re-signing of front row forward Mark Nicholls until at least the end of the 2021 season today.

Nicholls, 29, has played 54 NRL games since making his first grade debut for the Canberra Raiders against the St George Illawarra Dragons in round 17, 2012. Nicholls, who is Rabbitohs first grade player number 1140, is a former Junior Kangaroos representative who has gone on to represent New South Wales Residents in 2014. Nicholls played for the Raiders and Storm before finding a home at the Rabbitohs, where he has played 26 first grade games to date. Nicholls is a throwback to days gone by as he also holds down a job outside of football, working in the sports apparel industry as a Business Development Manager. He has also completed a Bachelor of Sports Management and Coaching Science, Sports Studies degree at the University of Canberra, a Diploma of Business through Australian Vocational Training Academy and a block of work experience with the Rabbitohs commercial and administration departments over a 12-month period.

Nicholls is very happy to have secured his future on field for the next two seasons. “It was a goal of mine at the start of the year to earn a new two-year contract with the Rabbitohs and I could not be happier now that this has come to fruition,” Nicholls said. “I’ve got security for me and my fiancée for the next couple of years. We’re getting married at the end of the year and hopefully we’ll have a family after that. We’ve really found a home here at Souths. All of the off-field stuff I’ve done with the Club adds to the footy I’ve been able to play, and I feel really settled here. I’ve got a good balance doing my work around my football commitments. I’ve been able to broaden my horizons outside of the football bubble, and that’s something that Wayne has pushed with not only me but the whole group. It gives me a chance to work on a career outside of football while I’m still playing which has been a focus for me since I started playing professionally. I’m really happy to have my contract sorted and I’m looking forward to having a big back end to this season and playing my part in taking the team as far as we can go this year.”

Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, says Nicholls has earned his new contract with South Sydney. “Mark is one of those players that his team mates love to play alongside,” Mr Richardson said. “He’s a hard worker, doesn’t shirk any of the tough runs or defensive work, is a great character to have around the dressing rooms and he understands the other side of the football business due to his work with our management and office staff last year. “He’s found his feet in our football system and he’s found a home at South Sydney. We’re really happy to have Mark as part of our team for at least the next couple of seasons.”

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