South Wales partner with Bridgend Blue Bulls

South Wales Scorpions have confirmed that they have established a partnership with community side Bridgend Blue Bulls.

Bridgend Blue Bulls have won the Welsh Conference eight times in the 13 years the competition has been running.

The aim of the partnership is to promote rugby league in local schools and the community, and also to improve the player pathway to the professional and international games.

“This partnership is just what the club needs,” Steve Smith, team manager of Bridgend Blue Bulls, said.

“We have exceeded all expectations in the last two seasons and now we need to keep the momentum at both senior and junior level by expanding on and off the pitch.

“Things are looking up with the Scorpions so it will be a great time for aspiring rugby league players to join the Blue Bulls as we are in a great position to develop talent and give a pathway to a higher standard with the Scorpions, which can only benefit both clubs.”

Scorpions’ co-owner Marc Lovering is hopeful that the partnership will lead to more Welsh players gracing the professional ranks in years to come.

“The Blue Bulls have an enviable record when it comes to producing quality rugby league players,” he said.

“We are looking forward to helping them produce the next generation of players some of whom will progress on the Scorpions player pathway.

“The Blue Bulls partnership is the first of a number that we will be announcing over the coming weeks with partners  throughout the South Wales region as we look to work closely supporting our community clubs who play a vital role in driving the game forward in Wales.”

Scorpions players will coach the youth teams at Bridgend, and Bulls’ young players will also have the opportunity to play in curtain raisers ahead of Scorpions fixtures.