The North Sydney Bears will feed to the Melbourne Storm in 2024 after striking up a partnership with the powerhouse club.
The Bears announced the new two-year deal at North Sydney Oval on Tuesday afternoon by the Bears’ CEO Gareth Holmes, Storm CEO Justin Rodski and the Storm’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi.
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Throughout the two-year deal, Storm players will now be divided between three feeder clubs — the Bears in New South Wales Cup, as well as Queensland Cup sides Sunshine Coast Falcons and Brisbane Easts.
It comes as the Bears’ five-year partnership with the Roosters finishes up at the end of the season.
The Roosters entered their own side into NSW Cup this season and will go forward with that.
The Storm’s deal with the Bears gives the club access to some of the strongest — and most consistent — players in NSW Cup.
The Bears have become renowned for recruiting some of the best players on offer in NSW Cup and a number of those that sign on or recommit for 2024 will be given the opportunity to train with the Storm once the deal commences, on November 1.
“The partnership announcement today reinforces the fact that the Bears are not only a respected rugby league brand but a sought-after development route for NRL players,” Holmes said.
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“We have a been feeder club for the Roosters, Rabbitohs and now the Storm, all successful NRL clubs who have trusted us to prepare players for their NRL programs”
“Our strong heritage aligned to our own pathway from Harold Matthews to the NSW Cup is strengthened further by this partnership giving our players a defined route to the NRL.”
The Storm “jumped” at the opportunity to link up with the Bears and are hoping to use the facilities at North Sydney Oval when travelling to NSW for away games.
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“We were always interested in having a stronger connection with NSW Rugby League given the number of players we have on our list from the state, so when this opportunity was presented, we jumped at it,” Ponissi said.
“From next season, we will have an even greater connection with NSW through the Bears, offering a genuine pathway for players to come to Melbourne Storm.
“We also think this partnership will be great for supporters of both clubs living in NSW as they can watch NRL players in the NSW Cup each week and we also see North Sydney Oval becoming a base for the Storm for some of our away trips.”
The Bears sit at the top of the NSW Cup ladder after 11 rounds.