Salford and Swinton announce dual-registration partnership
Photo courtesy of Richard Long
Salford have announced a new reserve grade dual-registration partnership with Championship outfit Swinton for the 2020 season.
Ian Watson named a 26-man squad ahead of the 2020 Super League side, while Swinton head coach Stuart Littler named a 24-man squad for their upcoming campaign.
On the news, Salford director of rugby and operations Ian Blease said: “It’s our responsibility as the area’s Super League club, to ensure there is a complete pathway in place for local talent and prospects to play at a professional level and ultimately in Super League for Salford Red Devils.
“I am really thankful to Steve Wild and Stuart Littler from Swinton Lions for their cooperation on the reserves dual registration and look forward to working together on developing stars of the future, and also to Gerrard’s managing director Seb Gerrard for his sponsorship in this new venture. It’s exciting that we have local businesses getting involved with the reserves.
“This reserves set-up will provide more opportunity for players from across Salford and the Greater Manchester area to play at a professional level and that is a key part of my strategy for the game’s growth within our club and the region as a whole.
“Players will therefore be developed, under our clubs badge and will then be capable of making an impression in the Betfred Super League and Betfred Championship over time.”
Swinton operations director Steve Wild added: “It’s no secret that we don’t currently possess the resources to run our own reserves team, so from a Swinton Lions perspective this joint project with Salford represents a tremendous opportunity.
”I’d like to thank Ian Blease, Ian Watson and Danny Barton for being so open to the concept and making it happen, as it helps Swinton Lions tremendously in terms of player development, as well as our ability to trial players.
“I firmly believe that in the best interests of rugby league in the Salford, Swinton and Manchester area, it can only be a good thing to be working collaboratively with our historic neighbours.”