Foreign Legion
Coach
- Messages
- 11,438
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league...rl-team-gets-boost-with-feeder-team-announced
The bid for a second New Zealand NRL franchise has received a significant boost, with the consortium signing a A$10 million deal with Christchurch-based Celebration Lions Sports Trust to enter a feeder team in the NSW or Queensland Cup.
The agreement gives the bid team a strong foot hold in the South Island and will strengthen the new club's rivalry with the Auckland-based Warriors.
It also provides another pathway for Kiwi players to the NRL as the Celebration Lions plan to establish a NSW or Queensland Cup team that would play out of their proposed new ground at Porritt Park in Christchurch.
The Lions, who currently play in the strong Canterbury Rugby League competition, also want to enter junior representative teams in the NSWRL's Harold Mathews and SG Ball competitions.
Consortium spokesman Robert Picone said the A$10 million 10-year deal, which would see pre-season matches played at Porritt Park, further underpinned the financial viability of the bid.
"The arrangement our club has struck with the Lions Sports Trust is the last major piece in our bid," Picone said. "It provides the club with a long term strong connection to the Canterbury region and a great base for our club.
"Having a Cup side so close to the NRL squad's base is a big plus and takes away the need for our club to align with an Australian club. The alliance gives the club the right football structures to enable us to be very competitive and provides a definite and clear pathway in New Zealand for the massive talent pool, which exists in the country".
Since Fairfax Media revealed details of the bid for a second New Zealand team based in Wellington two months ago, there has been growing support behind the scenes and officials are hopeful of joining the NRL in 2018.
While NRL bosses remain tightlipped about expansion plans, they have shown their commitment to the game in the New Zealand by holding the launch for the coming season in Auckland on Thursday night and agreeing to stage the Nines at Eden Park for five years.
A second New Zealand team based in Wellington and playing some games in Christchurch, and possibly Rotorua, would capitalise on the rivalry between Auckland and the rest of the country.
Ad Feedback
"Our club is fully aware of the importance of the Canterbury region especially with respect to rugby league," Picone said.
"It is and has been such a strong region for rugby league in NZ and has produced many elite players including Quentin Pongia, David Kidwell, Lewis Brown, Matt Duffie, Rulon Nutira and even more recently Cyrus Timo- Latu. Partnering with the Celebration Lions really establishes great foundations for the club in Canterbury".
Lions special project manager Corey Watkinson said the multi-sport trust believed the alliance would be a significant contribution to rugby league in the region.
"The potential of a South Island Cup side based here is a huge boost for Rugby League in NZ and I know there will be a lot of local excitement and support for this initiative," Watkinson said.
- Sydney Morning Herald
The bid for a second New Zealand NRL franchise has received a significant boost, with the consortium signing a A$10 million deal with Christchurch-based Celebration Lions Sports Trust to enter a feeder team in the NSW or Queensland Cup.
The agreement gives the bid team a strong foot hold in the South Island and will strengthen the new club's rivalry with the Auckland-based Warriors.
It also provides another pathway for Kiwi players to the NRL as the Celebration Lions plan to establish a NSW or Queensland Cup team that would play out of their proposed new ground at Porritt Park in Christchurch.
The Lions, who currently play in the strong Canterbury Rugby League competition, also want to enter junior representative teams in the NSWRL's Harold Mathews and SG Ball competitions.
Consortium spokesman Robert Picone said the A$10 million 10-year deal, which would see pre-season matches played at Porritt Park, further underpinned the financial viability of the bid.
"The arrangement our club has struck with the Lions Sports Trust is the last major piece in our bid," Picone said. "It provides the club with a long term strong connection to the Canterbury region and a great base for our club.
"Having a Cup side so close to the NRL squad's base is a big plus and takes away the need for our club to align with an Australian club. The alliance gives the club the right football structures to enable us to be very competitive and provides a definite and clear pathway in New Zealand for the massive talent pool, which exists in the country".
Since Fairfax Media revealed details of the bid for a second New Zealand team based in Wellington two months ago, there has been growing support behind the scenes and officials are hopeful of joining the NRL in 2018.
While NRL bosses remain tightlipped about expansion plans, they have shown their commitment to the game in the New Zealand by holding the launch for the coming season in Auckland on Thursday night and agreeing to stage the Nines at Eden Park for five years.
A second New Zealand team based in Wellington and playing some games in Christchurch, and possibly Rotorua, would capitalise on the rivalry between Auckland and the rest of the country.
Ad Feedback
"Our club is fully aware of the importance of the Canterbury region especially with respect to rugby league," Picone said.
"It is and has been such a strong region for rugby league in NZ and has produced many elite players including Quentin Pongia, David Kidwell, Lewis Brown, Matt Duffie, Rulon Nutira and even more recently Cyrus Timo- Latu. Partnering with the Celebration Lions really establishes great foundations for the club in Canterbury".
Lions special project manager Corey Watkinson said the multi-sport trust believed the alliance would be a significant contribution to rugby league in the region.
"The potential of a South Island Cup side based here is a huge boost for Rugby League in NZ and I know there will be a lot of local excitement and support for this initiative," Watkinson said.
- Sydney Morning Herald