Widnes Vikings are pleased to announce a cross code affiliation with
New Brighton RUFC
The Widnes Vikings' Reserves, Academy, U16s and U15s will each play a number of ‘home' matches over the coming months at the historic Hartsfield ground in New Brighton.
As well as offering coaching and commercial expertise, this relationship will also form part of an ongoing strategy for cross code co-operation and expansion into the Wirral, South Liverpool and Cheshire areas.
Chris Shirling-Rooke, Widnes' Head of Commercial commented, "We're extremely focussed on opening up new opportunities for the club, and moving both the game and the Vikings brand geographically is a very important part of our process.
"We're comfortable that New Brighton has the right historical pedigree and by the same token, futuristic vision, to allow rugby league and Widnes Vikings in particular, to impress the great merits and strengths of the 13 a-side code both on and off the pitch, to the forward thinking people residing in the Wirral and Cheshire areas.
Ben Basterfield, President at New Brighton RUFC is hopeful the working partnership that has been forged between the two clubs can prove a win-win situation for all concerned, "New Brighton are delighted to host Widnes Vikings Academy over the next couple of months and are hoping this will lead to a long term relationship between the two clubs that will be of mutual benefit.
"We're hopeful that it will also benefit the youth in general across the Wirral area and encourage both the youngsters and their parents to come along to Hartsfield and meet and support Widnes at these games and join in the sport of rugby".
The Vikings' Head of Youth Performance, Phil Finney added, "This is a great opportunity for our young Academy teams to show off their continued development in the game to an entirely new audience.
"It'll be an invaluable experience for all our players and staff and I for one, welcome the move as a further sign of the clubs ambition".
The first of these Vikings' Reserves and Academy ‘on the road' games take place on Saturday 12 March, when Sheffield Eagles and Harlequins will provide the opposition at Hartsfield.
The games kick-off at 1.00pm and 4.00pm respectively, and we look forward to seeing you there!