EXCITING young winger Judah Mazive has already been a hit in Betfred League One - and York City Knights boss James Ford has now challenged him to prove himself at Championship level too.

The Zimbabwe-born winger scored 16 tries in 18 appearances for York last season in his first full campaign at senior level after joining from Wakefield Trinity, with his performances in Ford's title-winning team earning him a nomination for the League One Young Player of the Year award.

They have also now earned him a new one-year contract, with the Knights confirming he was staying to bolster their assault on rugby league's second tier in 2019.

Ford said of the new agreement: "Judah highlighted his potential with some key involvements last season.

"He’s a good athlete - quick, evasive and powerful. He showed last year that he is able to effectively bring us out of our own half on the front foot, and he possesses finishing skills that made him a firm fan favourite.

"He's a superb athlete and he’s keen to keep improving all aspects of his game."

Ironically, Mazive, who is still only 20, finished the season in the stands after losing his place to a niggling injury, and he watched local lad Matt Chilton, his replacement on the wing, score twice in the final-day victory over Whitehaven that sealed the crown.

But Ford wants the former England Academy flier - whose high point in 2018 was arguably the decisive length-of-the-field try that brought a season-defining victory at odds-on title favourites Bradford Bulls - to kick on again and prove he can nail down a first-team berth.

"It's up to Judah. He's got the potential to do that," said the head coach.

"Obviously he's shown lots of promise and he's up for the challenge.

"He needs to work hard in pre-season and improve in one or two areas. If he does, he's got a really good chance of establishing himself as a first-choice player in the Championship.

"He arguably already is a first-choice for us - he played 18 games last season.

"Everyone needs to be aware there's competition for places. People can sneak up on you and take your place. That's the environment we went to create. It depends on how hard they work and how much they improve from the start of pre-season."

Bulawayo-born Mazive played twice in Super League in 2016 after coming through the ranks at Wakefield and it was a surprise to many Trinity fans when they let him leave Belle Vue.

Added Ford: "He's obviously got a good pedigree. He's played for England Academy and appeared in Super League a few times.

"We're aware of his promise and his athletic ability, and he's aware we want him to improve in certain areas.

"I think he should be proud of his first full season at (senior) level. It's the first time he has consistently appeared and the first time he's had to hit standards week in week out.

"I think he deserved his (Young Player of the Year) nomination. We had a couple of players who could have been nominated alongside him but I was pleased for Judah that he got recognised and he should be proud of that."

Mazive said of his new deal: “I’m really grateful for this opportunity and excited for the challenge at a higher level for York City Knights.

"I really enjoyed my first year at the club and re-signing was an easy decision.

"I'm looking forward to continuing my development under Fordy and playing in front of the excellent Knights fans again in 2019."