www.stuff.co.nz
“A group bidding for a Christchurch NRL franchise plans to roll out 22 regional academies across New Zealand from 2025, catering for up to 2200 student athletes.”
Says first academy will open next year and other academies will include all over nz including Wellington and Auckland.
Dunno who is funding it or just chalmers ususal bs
But if true it’s a significant investment in nz juniors as many on here want to see happening
It could be all talk, but if this is real and they start implementing a training academy in chch, early next year, and moreso down the track, just like what grima was task to do with png, (and remember he set up 6 in every major populous in png) then they'll get the nod, this the stuff arlc want from their bidders, and of course a willingness to spend thier money on a licence fee, aswell as spending their funds on youth academies to filter thru to what could be their NRL franchise,
Too many bidders are mouth peices, and moneymen, need to see tangible pathways, unless your an already established league club like dolphins were, this is what they searching for. This was why I could see the Endacott bid being the favourite, coz they are the local presence down there, and if they got the investment behind them they'll be the 20th, but if orcas a doing it all alone then it seems there would be no need for merging with the SI bid
Perth had yet to show any of this, other than their existing park footy comp, but given their premier is about to fork out WA govt money to set up those similar academies there in Perth, that ticks a crucial box to get them over the line with the ARLC, and the Bears will parachute those kids in for the meantime