Salford Red Devils have confirmed a dual-registration partnership with Kingstone Press League One side North Wales Crusaders.
The partnership will provide the Crusaders with support from their coaching network and the access to training facilities at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Salford Red Devils first grade and U19 players will also have the opportunity to play in the Crusaders team at the discretion of both Head Coaches.
Both clubs will also work together to assist each other with recruitment of players into different levels of the pathway, as well as sharing practices within off field areas including coach education, player welfare, youth development, ticketing and marketing.
Fans will also benefit from the partnership as it will involve a pre-season friendly and open training sessions with both teams that supporters can attend.
There will also be the opportunity for the Crusaders Foundation to link with the Salford Red Devils foundation to share ideas on funding streams and community delivery programmes.
Head coach Ian Watson said: “We’ve invested significantly in our younger players this year and we hope the partnership will allow them to further progress and develop at a top club like the North Wales Crusaders.
“This partnership is something that Salford is taking very seriously, Super League requires a fit and healthy thirty man playing squad and this link up should enable all the squad to be fighting fit when called upon for first team duties.”
Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash, said: “We’ve worked hard to ensure there are benefits for both clubs in making this agreement. We’d like to thank North Wales Crusaders for their professionalism and I’m sure from the discussions we’ve had so far we have a shared ambition for both clubs to prosper and develop under this partnership.”
North Wales head coach Anthony Murray said: “The facilities at Salford Red Devils are fantastic and will give us the best possible conditions to prepare in.
“We were with Warrington last year; they were very accommodating and I’d like to thank them for that. We’re now looking forward to working with Salford in 2016.
“I know their head coach, Ian Watson, very well – I’ve known him from junior level up to semi-professional level.
“Salford have a big pool of up-and-coming youngsters at the club and, with the club opting not to go down the reserves route, they will be able to gain some experience by coming to play for us on dual-registration.
“There’s also going to be the chance to do team runs and things like that together. When a Super League coach wants to do that with you, it’s brilliant and it’s going to help us a lot.”
Crusaders chairman Ian Edwards said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Salford Red Devils for 2016.
“Salford have a big history in the sport and, like ourselves, have a vision to do develop and achieve success over the next couple of years.
“The Welsh link, with Ian Watson as head coach and Garreth Carvell also part of the club’s staff, is another pleasing part of the link.
“We’d like to thank Salford Red Devils for working with us and we’re excited by what next season holds.”
