112 replies to this topic

[sweaty craiq]

Agreement in full: Leigh Centurions are thrilled to announce an official partnership with Wigan Warriors. The partnership will benefit both clubs and the region in delivering rugby league across the Borough and in particular providing junior league players with the opportunity to develop enabling them to compete at the highest level. The partnership provides an exciting opportunity to both clubs to deliver rugby league across the Borough from grass roots to elite level. It provides an opportunity for the clubs to work across all departments from the community foundations to the performance departments.

The partnership came into being following the announcement of the Championship clubs Leigh, Featherstone, Halifax and Sheffield, agreeing a memorandum of understanding regarding the dual registration system and how it should be implemented. The Championship clubs feel very strongly that the dual registration should be utilised for the benefit of providing junior elite players an opportunity to perform in a Championship environment to develop their skills to enable them to achieve their ultimate aim of competing at Super League level.

The level of commitment from Wigan has been impressive and certainly Leigh Centurions will benefit considerably with sharing the best practices adopted by Wigan enabling both clubs to develop a range of strategies both on and off the field which will ensure that the region remains one of the primary areas for rugby league in the country.

Wigan agreeing to adopt the memorandum of understanding with Leigh means that we will be able to concentrate on developing the young players, Leigh will be able to benefit from the significant support and assistance in key areas such as sports science, coaching, medical support.

Keith Freer, Chairman of Leigh Centurions commented;

“This is an absolute fantastic opportunity, here at Leigh we have some of the best facilities in rugby league and now we are in partnership with one of the biggest names in the sport which enables Leigh to develop and strengthen to achieve our ultimate goal of being in the Super League at the earliest opportunity. It does not in any way adversely affect the independence of the Centurions, if anything it enhances our independence and our ability to compete. I must thank both Ian Lenagan and Kris Radlinski in agreeing to the terms of the partnership that enabled both clubs to make this commitment to the young players in our region.”

Wigan Warriors Rugby General Manager, Kris Radlinski said;

“I see this as a real chance for both clubs to work together for the benefit of rugby league across the Borough of Wigan, as a Club we can benefit in a number of ways which includes the opportunity for some of our players to gain vital first team football at Championship level. For Leigh this provides an enhanced squad for them to choose from with up to 5 players at any one time available via the dual registration or through the loan system format. Leigh has a great position within the game and both parties are keen to ensure each Club still retains its individual structures and identity.”

The agreement in more detail - The following text comes straight from the original document of the agreement, and the purpose of it's publication is to explain exactly what this agreement is about, and also what it is not about.

General Principles

The partnership is fundamentally to develop a joined up approach to the delivery of Rugby League across the borough of Wigan and Leigh from Grass Roots to Elite Level. This will cross all working departments of the two clubs from the community foundations to the performance departments. The idea of the partnership is to ensure that the whole community receives the very best in terms of community and Rugby League Development ensuring that the region is a leading light in these areas.

Purpose of Dual Registration

The purpose for both clubs is to provide junior elite players with the opportunity to perform in a championship environment in order to develop them for the benefit of all parties involved. The partnership approach will be one which focuses on all parties controlling the destiny of the relationship by ensuring that the player, the super league club and importantly the championship club have a joined up approach to the allocation and development of players.

General Points for Guidance
Playing opportunities will be offered for up to 5 players via a Dual Registration or Loan System Format. The preferred option would be to loan the players on a long term basis and there is an understanding between the two clubs that in reality only a maximum of 4 players will play each week.
2. All players that will be considered for this approach will be chosen by both clubs involved and each individual case will be decided by mutual consent.
3. All Players will maintain their primary registration with the Super League Clubs.
4. All Players will be under the age of 23 on 31st August 2012.
5. The clubs will agree on a player by player basis the financial amount for each player on both a loan and dual registration basis.
6. All Dual Registration and Loan Agreement players will only be eligible to play in The Play Off or Challenge Cup System if they meet the eligibility criteria as per RFL regulations and if agreed by all parties.
7. Leigh will provide suitable Medical attention for all players prior to, during and after games in consultation with the Wigan Warriors medical department.
8. Leigh will provide videos of all the games 24 hrs after the event to the Head of Youth.

Benefits of the Partnership

1. A joined up approach to the allocation and development of Elite Junior Players across our Geographical Area.
2. A fully integrated system that puts the best interest of all parties at the forefront of all decisions made.
3. An opportunity for all members of both clubs to gain valuable CPD opportunities across all departments within each club.
4. Support and assistance in all aspects of performance including coaching, sports science and medical support.
5. Provides an Opportunity to link up at a community and service area delivery level to assist the development of the game in the local community
6. Possibility of both clubs utilising shared facilities to accommodate the needs and demands of players within both organisations.
7. Possibility of both squads running joint field sessions at various points throughout the year as agreed by both parties.
8. Possibility of coaching staff working together on the delivery of designated coaching sessions throughout the year as agreed by both parties.

What the Partnership is not About

1. Removing the identity or credibility of either club.
2. A one sided approach to the allocation of Super League players within the championship environment
3. The De Registration of Contracted Players to enable competitive opportunities for designated players.
4. Providing a short term environment for returning Super League Players.
5. Replacing the participating clubs current playing structure.

Vision

To provide a genuine partnership approach to the development of Junior Elite Players, in a competitive environment, whilst providing equal benefits to all parties, thus creating a flag ship approach which the game can follow.

Personally not convinced that the objectives are the same, and will watch the next few months closely.

[DAZROVER1985]

Well they have finally caved in then, suppose they had to with crowds dwindling to a new low yesterday. That is their super league ambition gone aswell

[terrywebbisgod]

Well they have finally caved in then, suppose they had to with crowds dwindling to a new low yesterday. That is their super league ambition gone aswell

Here we go again. .

[hindle xiii]

I suppose if you are gonna back-track you might aswell waffle about how it isn't back-tracking.

Certainly a day for volte-face; McNamara considers Brough.

[Blackpool Hawk]

Taking the morale high ground didn't last long, amazing what a cash flow problem can do to a clubs stance.

[Ackroman]

Taking the morale high ground didn't last long, amazing what a cash flow problem can do to a clubs stance.

Gloating from a position of weakness. Go you.

[Ponterover]

Another kick in the nuts for the Championship, they can dress it up all they like, but they are now a feeder club.

Very disapointed.

Does this mean a quiet dropping of the beLeighve campaign?

[jpmc]

Ya right there Blackpool Hawk.
On the flip side the u20s are a good watch for £2 and the coffee's good for a quid.
Then theres leigh east and leigh miners so life stil goes on

[thundergaz]

Another kick in the nuts for the Championship, they can dress it up all they like, but they are now a feeder club.

Very disapointed.

Does this mean a quiet dropping of the beLeighve campaign?

Yeah I think your right pont. Their SL campaign as gone now. So that just leaves 3 campaigners now.its a shame but if their struggling you can't blame them to be honest as the rest have done it. I just hope the fans they have don't walk away now their dream has disappeared.The champ would be a poorer league without the Leigh faithful

Edited by thundergaz, 22 March 2013 - 12:12 PM.

[terrywebbisgod]

Can this be locked now please,to save going over the same old same old ,yet again.

[Griff]

Agreement in full: Leigh Centurions are thrilled to announce an official partnership with Wigan Warriors.

Thrilled. Interesting.

[gazza77]

Thrilled. Interesting.

Maybe some people are easily pleased.

[The Parksider]

Can this be locked now please,to save going over the same old same old ,yet again.

Can you be locked so people can post what they want. You don;'t have to join in?

[hindle xiii]

Can this be locked now please,to save going over the same old same old ,yet again.

Super League telling the Championship what to do yet again!

[Blackpool Hawk]

I think it was case of partnership or collection buckets again, not a difficult choice to make no matter who you are.

Edited by Blackpool Hawk, 22 March 2013 - 12:24 PM.

[terrywebbisgod]

Can you be locked so people can post what they want. You don;'t have to join in?

Do what you want,but countless threads with the same old arguments is self defeating.

[terrywebbisgod]

Super League telling the Championship what to do yet again!

Yeah,proper tyrants us supporters of SL Clubs

[hindle xiii]

Yeah,proper tyrants us supporters of SL Clubs

Even though there hasn't been a Dual Reg thread for about 4 hours, I'm intrigued over this as it's one of the 4 who originally opposed.

Either that or Eric Pollard had his come to bed eyes.

[terrywebbisgod]

Even though there hasn't been a Dual Reg thread for about 4 hours, I'm intrigued over this as it's one of the 4 who originally opposed.

Either that or Eric Pollard had his come to bed eyes.

It will go the same way as every other dual reg. thread,death of the championship, "A" teams,blah,blah,blah.

[amh]

I'm trying my best to see this as a better version - a free range eggs benedict version as opposed to a value range scrambled eggs version

As the morning wears on though, I'm feeling more and more uncomfortable, 1. Because I hoped we didn't have to do anything like this 2. Because it's Wigan 3. Because I'm reading loads of negative comments

Is it really just another step towards being a feeder club