Rugby league in the South Island has been given a major boost after years of what some locals feel has been “neglect” from New Zealand’s only NRL club.
The Canterbury Bulldogs’ new development partnership in Christchurch is looking to develop top talent in Canterbury with the aim of then luring them to the club – a relationship driven by Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould.
More than 300 male and female players from around the South Island attended the first camps alone, Bulldogs pathways and development officer Craig Wilson said.
“Ultimately we will have players from this district and the South Island playing for the Bulldogs at the highest level possible,” Wilson said.
“Hopefully in the next four to six months, Canterbury Rugby League start a couple of academies down here for 14 and 15-year-olds, both male and female, and hopefully that's a pathway to the NRL.”
It’s a huge boom for the region with some in the south saying the Warriors’ lenses don't extend down those parts.
That played a part in the deal struck between Canterbury Rugby League and the Bulldogs four months ago, CRL chief executive Malcolm Humm said.
“We understand that there is a massive pool here in the South Island and we want to be able to see opportunities provided to as many those boys and girls as possible,” Humm said.
“It’s far too many for the Warriors.”
Former Warriors coach Frank Endacott was a tad more blunt with the Kiwi club’s recruiting process.
“We've been neglected by the Warriors down here for years – that’s a well-known fact,” Endacott said.
“That's a decision the Warriors came up with. They know they can't cover all of New Zealand.”
The Warriors declined to comment to 1News in response, other than to say they have relationships with Canterbury schools.
The club is also due to play NRL games in Christchurch over the next three years after striking their own deal in the south recently.
But the Bulldogs are already moving fast, signing two players.
“If we can cash in and show players that through the Bulldogs, through hard training and good disciplines, all that sort of stuff, [you can make it], we're hoping it will be a success.”
Humm agreed.
“A lot of young boys and girls first pick would be the Warriors but there are other opportunities with either Sydney or other Australian NRL clubs.”
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