Skolars And London Broncos Announce New Partnership Agreement
30th October 2012
The partnership will see a number of players join the Championship 1 side on dual registration deals throughout the 2013 season, a continuation of previous seasons which has seen players join the north London club to earn valuable first team experience.

As part of the revised player pathway rules set out by the RFL for the 2013 season, the Broncos can now loan the Skolars up to five players through the dual registration set-up, an increase from four in 2012.

The new agreement will also see the two clubs share strength, conditioning and medical knowledge throughout the season.

The two clubs will also play their traditional pre-season friendly, The Capital Challenge, at the HAC in the heart of the City on Friday January 11. It will be the ninth consecutive year the fixtures has been played.

Broncos head of youth performance Phil Jones said: “I am really excited about this partnership with the London Skolars, which is a brilliant extension to our current interaction.

“The two clubs working even closer together will ensure that young players on the fringe of first grade will get chance to compete against experienced older players in Championship 1 and speed up their development into Super League athletes as well as supporting Skolars’ aim to gain promotion to The Championship.

“The sharing of ideas on coaching, medical, strength and conditioning will help both clubs strive to become leading organisations in their respective competitions.”

London Skolars head coach Joe Mbu is already looking forward to the new partnership, which will see the former Bronco attend regular training sessions with his counterpart Tony Rea.

“As I enter my third season as head coach of Skolars, I see the relationship between ourselves and Broncos as being key to the season ahead,” said Mbu.

“This agreement strengthens the ties we have worked on and is as important for the players who come to the Skolars from the Broncos as it is for the clubs. I am looking forward to working closely with Tony Rea and his staff in the coming season.”

Skolars director Hector McNeil says the deal is a formalisation of a working relationship the clubs have enjoyed for a number of years.

“Whilst we’ve enjoyed a good relationship over the years, this agreement puts the partnership on a more formal basis and defines the commitment that both sides have agreed to put in to ensure we both reap the rewards of working closely together.

“The dual registration system will benefit both clubs and can enhance the development of the players concerned. 2013 will see a strengthening of the ties between the two clubs with the coaching and medical/support teams working more closely than ever before. I am grateful to the Broncos board for their continuing support of this key partnership. Two thriving, successful rugby league clubs in London is our common goal.”