Written by Steve Zemek Tuesday, 21 September 2010 02:31 THE Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles’ feeder deal with Manly will continue next year despite pressure from the New South Wales Rugby League to end the arrangement.
Late last year the New South Wales league used its clout on the Australian Rugby League board to ban dual registration, which allowed players signed to New South Wales-based NRL clubs to turn out in the Queensland Cup.
However, Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles chief executive Justin Veivers said yesterday Manly had given the club assurances it was prepared to continue with the deal next year in defiance of the New South Wales league.
Manly coach Des Hasler will meet NRL chief executive David Gallop this week to discuss dual registration.
It is understood Hasler stepped in to save his club’s association with the Sunshine Coast after it looked dead and buried six weeks ago.
Hasler is believed to be a fan of the Queensland Cup as a breeding ground for young players, after watching the likes of Trent Hodkinson and Tony Williams graduate from the Sunshine Coast to full-time NRL duties this year.
Veivers said the two clubs had not signed a memorandum of understanding yet but that was just a formality.
“Six weeks ago I wouldn’t have put my own money on the feeder relationship continuing. It was looking shaky,” he said.
“But now Des Hasler has got involved and he and I are doing the deal. He and I have had all the phone conversations about what he can do for us, what we want and what we can do for them.
“That’s been a massive turnaround as well. I think that says a fair bit about our football operation – the head coach of that club is saying ‘that’s where we want to be’.
“That, to me, has been the best thing out of it, that Des Hasler is now passionate about what we’re trying to do up here. He sees the importance of it.”
Veivers said the new deal would also involve greater opportunities for Sunshine Coast players to undertake pre-season training and play trial matches with the NRL club, greater junior development and more visits from high-profile Manly stars.
“In general we’ve had really fruitful discussions. Despite all the political stuff that’s going on in the background – and Manly are getting pressure to stay down there – they have said to us categorically they will be here (on the Sunshine Coast) next year,” Veivers said.
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/09/21/manly-feeder-nrl-sea-eagles-rugby-league/
