Wasn't sure where to put this but how could the Cowboys let this happen?
South Sydney has stepped up its northern invasion and landed a sledgehammer blow on the Cowboys after striking a deal with one of the most powerful clubs in north Queensland.
The Rabbitohs have signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Townsville Blackhawks for the Queensland Cup club to become a feeder side to Souths.
It comes just days after the Rabbitohs announced they had signed an agreement with Keebra Park High School on Queensland’s Gold Coast, a renowned production line for NRL talent.
The Blackhawks have produced their own share of NRL players over the years and Souths will now have first crack at their talent as they spread their wings in Queensland.
The move will also give them direct access and an unimpeded eyeline to the production line of junior talent in Townsville, which is regarded as one of the game’s great nurseries.
Rabbitohs chief operating officer Brock Schaefer said the affiliation agreement with the Blackhawks would help broaden the elite talent available to the Rabbitohs and help make Souths the club of choice for kids in north Queensland.
“We have great respect and admiration for the Townsville Blackhawks,” Schaefer said. “Our clubs share many values and both place the community at the heart of our operations, We’re looking forward to kick-starting this partnership with the Blackhawks as we see this providing great opportunities to players, coaches and staff from both organisations.“
"Similar to our agreement with Keebra Park State High School, we have identified in our strategic plan and our football review that we need to continue to grow our footprint and increase our investment in our elite pathway programs. This has proven to be a marker of success at the NRL level of the game and this affiliation agreement will complement the local pathway we have set up in the NSWRL competitions."
“We understand that for many young players coming out of Townsville and the surrounding districts that the Cowboys may be the club with which they choose to pursue their career and we fully respect that, however we will be working with the Blackhawks to encourage players that wish to broaden their horizon and look elsewhere to make the Rabbitohs their choice of NRL club."
“We’re committing to working closely with the Blackhawks on opportunities for players such as pre-season training blocks and coaching within our system; opportunities for coaches such as professional development going both ways, training camps and facilities use; and opportunities for staff to increase their professional development and promotional opportunities for both clubs."
“We’ll also be working towards playing pre-season second-tier matches between the clubs and hopefully we can play against each other in the NRL State Championship as we aim to defend our title this season.”
After a disappointing end to last season when they bowed out before the finals, the Rabbitohs have acted quickly to ensure there will be more success in 2024.
Queensland has become a central part of those plans. The move to sign Keebra Park High School has given them a visible presence on the Gold Coast while the Blackhawks will ensure the Rabbitohs become an attractive proposition to aspiring footballers in Townsville.
The news will come as a blow to the Cowboys given the Blackhawks are on their doorstep, although it won’t be entirely surprising given recent events between the clubs.
The nine-year relationship between North Queensland and Blackhawks broke down spectacularly this year. In an attempt to exploit a Hostplus Cup loophole, the Cowboys stacked the Blackhawks with the majority of their fringe players to streamline operations, instead of sending them to the Cairns-based Pride and Mackay Cutters.
That saw the Blackhawks lose experienced players and essentially be used as the Cowboys’ reserve grade team.
The decision backfired as the Blackhawks struggled for form and relations between the clubs fractured, leading to the departure of Townsville coach and Cowboys legend Aaron Payne. Payne has joined Benji Marshall’s staff at the Wests Tigers.
The Blackhawks recently declared the 2023 arrangement would not continue next year and they have now essentially severed ties with the Cowboys to link up with South Sydney.
The Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans both have a desire to field their own-branded reserve grade teams which they can fully control.
The Queensland Rugby League lobbied the NRL for a funding increase to facilitate an expanded Hostplus Cup competition to accommodate the Titans and Cowboys teams, which was denied by the ARL Commission.
The Titans lost their relationship with the successful Burleigh Bears and now the Cowboys have parted ways with the club in their own backyard.
South Sydney has stepped up its northern invasion and landed a sledgehammer blow on the Cowboys after striking a deal with one of the most powerful clubs in north Queensland.
The Rabbitohs have signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Townsville Blackhawks for the Queensland Cup club to become a feeder side to Souths.
It comes just days after the Rabbitohs announced they had signed an agreement with Keebra Park High School on Queensland’s Gold Coast, a renowned production line for NRL talent.
The Blackhawks have produced their own share of NRL players over the years and Souths will now have first crack at their talent as they spread their wings in Queensland.
The move will also give them direct access and an unimpeded eyeline to the production line of junior talent in Townsville, which is regarded as one of the game’s great nurseries.
Rabbitohs chief operating officer Brock Schaefer said the affiliation agreement with the Blackhawks would help broaden the elite talent available to the Rabbitohs and help make Souths the club of choice for kids in north Queensland.
“We have great respect and admiration for the Townsville Blackhawks,” Schaefer said. “Our clubs share many values and both place the community at the heart of our operations, We’re looking forward to kick-starting this partnership with the Blackhawks as we see this providing great opportunities to players, coaches and staff from both organisations.“
"Similar to our agreement with Keebra Park State High School, we have identified in our strategic plan and our football review that we need to continue to grow our footprint and increase our investment in our elite pathway programs. This has proven to be a marker of success at the NRL level of the game and this affiliation agreement will complement the local pathway we have set up in the NSWRL competitions."
“We understand that for many young players coming out of Townsville and the surrounding districts that the Cowboys may be the club with which they choose to pursue their career and we fully respect that, however we will be working with the Blackhawks to encourage players that wish to broaden their horizon and look elsewhere to make the Rabbitohs their choice of NRL club."
“We’re committing to working closely with the Blackhawks on opportunities for players such as pre-season training blocks and coaching within our system; opportunities for coaches such as professional development going both ways, training camps and facilities use; and opportunities for staff to increase their professional development and promotional opportunities for both clubs."
“We’ll also be working towards playing pre-season second-tier matches between the clubs and hopefully we can play against each other in the NRL State Championship as we aim to defend our title this season.”
After a disappointing end to last season when they bowed out before the finals, the Rabbitohs have acted quickly to ensure there will be more success in 2024.
Queensland has become a central part of those plans. The move to sign Keebra Park High School has given them a visible presence on the Gold Coast while the Blackhawks will ensure the Rabbitohs become an attractive proposition to aspiring footballers in Townsville.
The news will come as a blow to the Cowboys given the Blackhawks are on their doorstep, although it won’t be entirely surprising given recent events between the clubs.
The nine-year relationship between North Queensland and Blackhawks broke down spectacularly this year. In an attempt to exploit a Hostplus Cup loophole, the Cowboys stacked the Blackhawks with the majority of their fringe players to streamline operations, instead of sending them to the Cairns-based Pride and Mackay Cutters.
That saw the Blackhawks lose experienced players and essentially be used as the Cowboys’ reserve grade team.
The decision backfired as the Blackhawks struggled for form and relations between the clubs fractured, leading to the departure of Townsville coach and Cowboys legend Aaron Payne. Payne has joined Benji Marshall’s staff at the Wests Tigers.
The Blackhawks recently declared the 2023 arrangement would not continue next year and they have now essentially severed ties with the Cowboys to link up with South Sydney.
The Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans both have a desire to field their own-branded reserve grade teams which they can fully control.
The Queensland Rugby League lobbied the NRL for a funding increase to facilitate an expanded Hostplus Cup competition to accommodate the Titans and Cowboys teams, which was denied by the ARL Commission.
The Titans lost their relationship with the successful Burleigh Bears and now the Cowboys have parted ways with the club in their own backyard.
