NSWRL announces Open-Age competition for 2008
Written by: NSWRL Media
August 1st, 2007 01:01 PM
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An exciting mixture of teams, including foundation clubs, will participate in a revamped New South Wales Rugby League open-aged competition set to replace the VB Premier League in Rugby League’s Centenary season in 2008.
The competition, which features a variety of NSWRL and National Rugby League clubs - several participating as joint arrangements - will showcase the best players outside NRL level, playing at local and traditional venues which will often be vacated due to NRL away games.
TEAM NAME JOINT ARRANGEMENT
Bulldogs n/a
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles n/a
Windsor Wolves Windsor Wolves / Penrith Panthers
Cronulla-Sutherland Cobras Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks / Cobras Rugby League Club
North Sydney Bears South Sydney Rabbitohs / North Sydney Bears
Newtown Jets Sydney Roosters / Newtown Jets
Balmain Ryde/Eastwood Tigers Balmain Tigers / Ryde Eastwood
Wests Magpies n/a
Central Coast Storm Central Coast / Melbourne Storm
Auckland Lions Auckland Lions / New Zealand Warriors
The NSWRL has granted Newcastle, Parramatta and St George/Illawarra extensions to complete negotiations for joint arrangements prior to entering the 2008 competition. It is anticipated further announcements on these clubs will be made in the coming weeks.
NSWRL General Manager Geoff Carr said the re-structured Premier League competition would compliment the extensive celebrations and events planned for Rugby League’s Centenary year in 2008.
“Next year’s Premier League will have a real Centenary feel to it thanks to the involvement of foundation clubs such as Wests, Newtown, North Sydney, Balmain and South Sydney, whether it be in a joint arrangement or stand-alone,” Carr said today.
“We’re very confident the remaining three clubs yet to confirm their involvement will do so in the coming weeks. It will be especially significant for Newcastle and its supporters, as the Knights were participants in the 1908 competition.
“Similarly, it’s a proud achievement for Auckland, whose competition started shortly after the first competition held by the New South Wales Rugby League.”
