Wolves enter historic partnership with Crusaders

WARRINGTON Wolves have announced an historic new partnership with North Wales Crusaders for the 2015 season.
The agreement will see the two clubs work together at many levels from the development side through to the first team. Warrington will provide access to the club’s state-of-the-art training facilities at the University of Chester, Warrington campus, allowing the Crusaders to also draw on the expertise of their medical and performance departments.
The partnership will be kicked off with an exhibition game between a Warrington Wolves representative side, made up primarily of the U19s, and a North Wales Crusaders first team at Eirias Parc in Colwyn Bay on Sunday 18 January at 12pm.
Ben Lazenby, Warrington Wolves’ head of youth, player recruitment and development, is enthused by the opportunity to be working with the Wales based club. “To be partnering up with North Wales Crusaders is very exciting and we are looking forward to working with them on a number of different levels. There are clearly opportunities for our younger first team players to gain valuable playing experience with the Crusaders under Anthony’s guidance. Our talent ID and player development will extend into the Welsh regions and we will continue to work with the North Wales development staff to assist them in developing their own home grown players. We have always had strong connections with Wales and had a number of exciting Welsh players at Warrington Wolves, we are all looking forward to build on this history through this link.”
North Wales Crusaders head coach Anthony Murray said: “This agreement is a great boost for us as we target a successful 2015. The facilities that Warrington have made available to us will allow us to prepare our squad properly for the season ahead and will give us the best chance of success.”
He added: “To be able to call on the support of Warrington through the dual registration system is really important as well. We’ve had some lengthy chats about both clubs’ philosophies on dual registration, having both had partnerships in the past that we’ve learned a lot from and we’re all comfortable we know the way to get the best out of the system.
“We’ve built a squad here at Crusaders that we believe will see us challenging for honours, but to have that in our locker is a massive benefit to us.”
Crusaders chief executive Jamie Thomas added: “I’m delighted with the agreement we’ve reached with Warrington, because it will have a positive impact across many areas of the club. Warrington have had a long affinity with Wales and this partnership feels like a great fit between the two clubs.
“There are the obvious benefits for the first team squad in terms of facilities, additional top-class medical support and strength and depth, but also other aspects within the youth and community structure.
“We’ve already seen Blake Turner move from the Crusaders u16s into the Warrington Wolves Academy where he’s impressing. Peter Farrell and Gary Chambers have visited training this month and it’s great that our young players are getting exposure in front of coaches from the highest level.”