Sheffield Eagles have confirmed that the club will be returning to a full-time platform for the 2016 season.
After making great strides on and off the field during the last 12 months, the Eagles say they have decided to return to a full-time operation to give the club the best possible chance of realising the dream of once again returning to Super League
After several key full-time appointments over the last 12 months , which includes the return of former favourite Keith Senior to the coaching setup, and the construction of a new stadium, the club are set to make the required step forward in time for the start of next season.
After the historic news was confirmed, a delighted Director of Rugby Mark Aston told www.sheffieldeagles.com: “It is very exciting times for Sheffield Eagles. After the win at the weekend we secured our top four place, and now we are delighted to make this announcement.
“You can see the significant difference it makes for teams like Leigh and Bradford in this division, so to put ourselves on a similar playing field for next season is fantastic for the club. We hope that this now will give us the grounding to take this club back into Super League one day, which would be a significant achievement.”
The Eagles have qualified for the end of season middle eight, edging out full-time opposition in the process. After confirming a place alongside the likes of Widnes and Salford in fighting for a place in the top flight, Aston is hopeful that whatever the result of the current campaign, today’s news will give the club the chance to be successful for many years to come.
“We will officially start as a full-time club in November 2015,” he confirmed. “Any players that we bring in now will be spoken to about signing a full-time contract, so we have got a lot of work ahead to make sure that come February 2016, when we kick off the next campaign, we are fully functional and ready to go.”
The Eagles conclude the regular Kingstone Press Championship season with a trip to The Hive to face London Broncos this Sunday.
