“This collaboration will strengthen rugby league’s growth at all levels and promote knowledge sharing.”
York RLFC and the Penrith Panthers recently announced a historic three-year collaboration designed to promote rugby league’s expansion.
The Women’s Super League back-to-back champions, York Valkyrie, and the UK’s championship challengers, York Knights, and the defending NRL premiers, Penrith Panthers, are all part of this alliance.
Youth player development, commercial innovation, and establishing global routes for both men’s and women’s leagues will be the three main focusses of the partnership.
Matt Cameron, the CEO of the Panthers, said he is excited about the collaboration and the potential it offers for rugby league growth.
We are very excited to work with York RLFC. Our dedication to the expansion of rugby league at all levels will be reinforced by this collaboration, which will also promote the sharing of resources and expertise,” Cameron told Panthers Media.
In order to someday compete in the NRLW, the Panthers are now working on creating a women’s pathway program. They hope to learn tactics and insights from the successful York Valkyrie through this collaboration.
As we work to improve the women’s game at Panthers, Cameron emphasised York Valkyrie’s recent accomplishments, saying, “We are also excited about learning from York Valkyrie, the back-to-back Women’s Super League champions.”
“Their success serves as an inspiration, and we believe that by sharing strategies and insights, we can make an impact on the development of women’s rugby league.”
Both teams are eager to combine their resources and knowledge. Clint Goodchild, the chairman of the York RLFC, expressed his excitement as well, pointing out the close bond that has grown between the two teams in recent years.
We have had the good fortune to get to know Matt Cameron and his incredible team over the last two years. Two trips to the Panthers’ offices and facilities were part of this. The fact that Matt took the time to show me around their amazing company humbled me, Goodchild remarked.
“The common ground that helped bring the two clubs together was our shared philosophy around the importance of community,” Goodchild said, highlighting the clubs’ shared principles of community engagement.
“Penrith has been the most successful club in the world in fostering the sport among young people and the community. As we prepare to launch our Academy soon, it is great to have a blueprint on how that was accomplished.
This collaboration is a major milestone in rugby league’s growth outside conventional borders as the sport spreads throughout North America, Europe, and the Pacific.
Given that a large portion of rugby league’s talent is found in the UK and Australia, this partnership is evidence of the clubs’ common enthusiasm and outlook for the game’s future.
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