By ANNA USHER
After signing a historic partnership with the Victorian heavyweights, the mighty North Sydney Bears will become a feeder club for Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm in 2024.
The two-year agreement was announced on Tuesday by Bears CEO Gareth Holmes, Storm CEO Justin Rodski and General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi.
“We jumped at it,” Ponissi said.
Super coach Craig Bellamy is likely to use North Sydney Oval as a player base for Melbourne Storm away games in 2024.
Melbourne players will now be divided among the Storm’s three feeder clubs — the Bears, Sunshine Coast Falcons and Brisbane Easts.
The deal means superstar coach Craig Bellamy could use North Sydney Oval as a player base on away trips to Sydney.
The Storm-Bears contract begins on November 1.
The Storm-Bears contract will begin on November 1, green-lighting some local players and staff to participate in Melbourne’s pre-season training program.
“The partnership announcement 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 in a statement.
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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”, he added.
The news comes as the North Sydney Bears push to become the NRL’s 18th team.
The news comes as the Bear’s push to become the NRL’s 18th franchise continues to gather swift momentum.
“We would like to thank the Sydney Roosters for their strong partnership over the last five years, and now the club looks forward to beginning a new journey with the Melbourne Storm from 2024,” Holmes said.
The Storm “jumped” at the opportunity to link up with the mighty Bears, Frank Ponissi said.
The Storm “jumped” at the opportunity to link up with the historic North Sydney club and is hoping to use the facilities at its oval next year.
“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.
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