The Rabbitohs continue their attack on Queensland with new signing
. The Rabbitohs are making big waves north of the border.
South Sydney Rabbitohs have confirmed that they will add QLD Cup team Townsville Blackhawks to their list of affiliated clubs for 2024.
As part of a two-year deal, the Blackhawks will join the team stabilize South Sydney until at least the end of the year. In 2025, he represents a major blow to the North Queensland Cowboys, who will now only have affiliates outside the city, in the Northern Pride ( based in Cairns) and Mackay Cutters.
The news follows last week’s announcement that the Rabbitohs had also signed an exclusive deal with Keebra Park High School, a move that will have a major impact on the Gold Coast Titans.
The fierce Queensland showdown for the Rabbitohs comes as the club looks to expand its elite pathways in the state, with it confirmed that Rabbitohs players will now also head to the Blackhawks as well as their state championship-winning NSW Cup team. Championship this year.
The new deal will give Townsville’s elite players the opportunity to join the Rabbitohs system for pre-season training and competition opportunities, professional development opportunities for both coaches and staff team as well as establishing a cooperation committee to oversee all activities.
“We have great respect and admiration for the Townsville Blackhawks. Our clubs share many values and both put community at the heart of our activities. We look forward to initiating this partnership with the Blackhawks as we believe it will provide great opportunities for the players, coaches and staff of both organizations,” Executive Director of the Rabbitohs, Brock Schaefer said in a club statement confirming the new.
“Similar to our agreement with Keebra Park State High School, we identified in our Football Assessment and Strategic Plan that we need to continue to grow our footprint and increase investment invest in its excellent pathway programs. This has proven to be a mark of success at NRL level of play and this affiliation agreement will complement the local route we take across NSWRL competitions.
“We understand that for many young players from Townsville and surrounding districts, the Cowboys may be the club they choose to continue their careers and we fully respect that, but we will work with the Blackhawks to encourage players who want to do so. . to broaden their horizons and look elsewhere to make the Rabbitohs their NRL club of choice.
“We are committed to working closely with the Blackhawks on player opportunities, such as pre-season training blocks and training within our system; opportunities for coaches, such as two-way professional development, training camps and facility use; and opportunities for employees to enhance their career development and advancement opportunities for both clubs.
“We will also try to play some pre-season matches in the second division between the clubs and hopefully we can play each other in the NRL State Championship as we aim to defend title this season.
“Leading from Our Last, Tyrone McCarthy, Brent Hill and I will pave the way for elite North Queensland players who want to spread their wings and join us in red and blue shirt colors.
This is an exciting expansion of our transition program and we look forward to working with (Blackhawks director of football) Adrian Thomson, (head coach) Terry Campese and the entire Blackhawks team to make this partnership a success for both clubs.
The move comes as QLD Cup teams have been playing a game of musical chairs recently.
The Northern Devils have linked up with the Dolphins, the Burleigh Bears have moved from the Gold Coast Titans to the Brisbane Broncos, and the Ipswich Jets will return after several years in the wilderness to link up with the NRL to take a spot with the Titans. in 2024.
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