Francis Cummins has promoted rising Bulls stars Alex Mellor and Nathan Conroy from the Academy into the first-team squad after handing them two-year professional contracts.

The highly-rated 18-year-olds will begin full-time training with Cummins’ squad from July 1 and are tipped for bright futures in the game.

Mellor is an imposing back-rower from Northowram in Halifax, while local lad Conroy is a hooker who played for West Bowling before joining the Bulls.

The ardent Bradford supporters, who were on scholarship terms for three years before signing part-time contracts two years ago, recently finished their A-Levels and have penned deals which will keep them at Odsal until the end of 2015.

Mellor, who played his amateur rugby with King Cross in Halifax, said: “It’s a dream come true but it’s only half a dream. It’ll be a dream when I’m 35 and I can look back on what I’ve achieved.

“Bradford like to bring their own youth through and that’s great for lads like us. When you compare it to other squads, then the door can open if there are a few injuries.”

The duo trained with the first-team squad earlier this year and have impressed sufficiently for the Academy side to be handed their shot at Super League stardom.

Conroy, who has been studying at Queensbury School, said: “I’m proud of myself and my family are proud too because this is something I’ve wanted from a very young age.

“The club want to bring through their own players and it’s a good place to be.

“I’ve supported the Bulls for as long as I can remember and my grandad used to take me to all the Grand Finals.

“My main aim now is to get into the play-offs with the under-19s and then kick on again next year.

“Alex and I have one more year in the under-19s, so hopefully we can keep improving next season and then get a chance in the first team.”

Along with Oliver Roberts, Mellor and Conroy were part of the England Academy squad who defeated France last month.

Mellor was 18th man and did not play but Roberts, who made a promising first-team debut for the Bulls at St Helens last weekend, and Conroy featured.

Having invited Mellor and Conroy to train with the first-team squad earlier this year, Cummins has watched their progress closely for Paul Medley’s under-19s.

The Bulls coach said: “The Academy side have had a tough season but Alex and Nathan have still stood out and you can see their talent.

“It’s all about producing players for the first team and now they are going full-time, you will see the benefits of that.

“We’ve already had a look at Alex and Nathan in the first-team environment and that’s what we’ll do with other players as well.”

The elevation of Mellor and Conroy follows the promotion of Roberts, Sam Wood and Curtis Naughton into the senior squad at the start of the season.

Roberts and Wood have made first-team appearances this season and Cummins said: “We hope Curtis will do likewise before the end of the year.

“He’s got to where he is relatively easily because he’s got a lot of talent but he’s been injured this year and he’s having to work hard at his game.

“If he keeps working hard and developing, then you may well see him at the back end of the year.”

Bulls owner Omar Khan added: “I’m delighted for these two young players. They have impressed the coaching staff with their ability and attitude and were both worthy inclusions in the England squad.

“They have now got the opportunity to train full-time with the squad and I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of them in the years to come.”

Meanwhile, Danny Addy’s future remains uncertain with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Cummins said an offer had been made to the player’s representative but that no negotiations had taken place as yet.

James Donaldson is also out of contract at the end of the year and is keen to stay at Bradford, although he is understood to be attracting interest from rival clubs.

Cummins, who revealed he was making progress in signing a new player, said: “It’s a bit of a waiting game because I need to secure another prop first – but I do like what Donno does.”

Ryan Bailey, whose contract at Leeds expires at the end of the year, is understood not to be on the Bulls’ radar as they seek to bolster their front row.