South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett speaks to the media during a training session at Redfern Oval in Sydney, Thursday, September 19, 2019. The Rabbitohs are set to play the Manly Sea Eagles in an NRL Finals match at ANZ Stadium on Friday. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING
The Rabbitohs have announced a two-year affiliation agreement with the Townsville Blackhawks.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce a two-year affiliation deal with the Townsville Blackhawks, a famous Hostplus Cup team, which will see the Rabbitohs’ top pathways further expanded into north Queensland.
This arrangement follows a three-year pact announced last week with Keebra Park State High School, one of the finest sporting institutions in south-east Queensland.
The agreement with the Blackhawks will increase the number of high-quality players available to the Rabbitohs in the second tier competitions in Australia, a pathway for players from north Queensland into the Rabbitohs’ system, access to elite juniors from Townsville and the surrounding districts, pre-season training and playing opportunities for elite players from the Blackhawks, professional development opportunities for coaches and staff from both organisations to learn from their colleagues, as well as the establishment of a Rabbitohs and Blackhawks Elite Development Partnership Committee to oversee all activities between the clubs.
The partnership with the Blackhawks will work in unison with the Rabbitohs’ focus on its local pathways which has secured a NSW Cup Premiership and NRL State Championship this season, and a Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s Premiership in 2019.
Rabbitohs Chief Operating Officer, Brock Schaefer, says this affiliation agreement with the Townsville Blackhawks will help broaden the elite talent available to the Rabbitohs.
“The Townsville Blackhawks have our respect and admiration.” Our clubs share similar ideals, and we both prioritize the community in our operations. We are excited to begin this cooperation with the Blackhawks because we believe it will provide wonderful possibilities for players, coaches, and staff from both organizations.” Schaefer, Mr.
Similar to our agreement with Keebra Park State High School, we have identified in our strategic plan and our football review that we need to continue to grow our footprint and increase our investment in our elite pathway programs. This has proven to be a marker of success at the NRL level of the game and this affiliation agreement will complement the local pathway we have set up in the NSWRL competitions.
“We understand that for many young players coming out of Townsville and the surrounding districts, the Cowboys may be the club with which they choose to pursue their career, and we fully respect that; however, we will be working with the Blackhawks to encourage players who want to broaden their horizons and look elsewhere to make the Rabbitohs their NRL club of choice.”
We’re committing to working closely with the Blackhawks on opportunities for players such as pre-season training blocks and coaching within our system; opportunities for coaches such as professional development going both ways, training camps and facilities use; and opportunities for staff to increase their professional development and promotional opportunities for both clubs. We’ll also be working towards playing pre-season second-tier matches between the clubs and hopefully we can play against each other in the NRL State Championship as we aim to defend our title this season.
“Led from our end by Tyrone McCarthy, Brent Hill and myself, we’ll be providing a pathway for elite players from north Queensland who want to spread their wings and join us in the red and green.
“This is an exciting expansion of our pathways program and we look forward to working with (Blackhawks Football Manager) Adrian Thomson, (Head Coach) Terry Campese and the whole team at the Blackhawks to make this partnership successful for both clubs.”
The Townsville Blackhawks are likewise ecstatic about their collaboration with the Rabbitohs.
“The Mendi Blackhawks are very excited and honoured to be in an affiliation agreement which will commence from 1st November, 2023 with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a club so steeped in the history of Rugby League,” Adrian Thomson, the Football Manager of the Black Hawks, stated.
“With this agreement, we are excited to be able to present the region’s players and potentially staff an extra direct pathway to the NRL.”
