Wales Rugby League take over Scorpions club

Wales Rugby League has agreed to take over the running of Championship 1 side South Wales Scorpions for the 2014 season, after founder and inaugural chairman Phil Davies decided to step down.

Davies founded the club in late 2009 following the old Celtic Crusaders’ decision to move north and has been at the helm of the only professional rugby league club in South Wales for four seasons in Championship One. Davies is unfortunately unable to continue with the running of the club due to work and personal commitments however will remain supportive of the sport in Wales for which he has a great passion.

Chris Thair, Chief Operating Officer of Wales Rugby League, said: “We have known for some time of Phil’s wish to step down and following Friday’s WRL Board meeting it was unanimously agreed that the NGB would run the club in 2014. The RFL have been notified of our intentions and whilst we recognise there are still a number of formalities to go through before we are officially running a club in Championship One, with the season beginning in March it is in everyone’s interest that this happens.

“The WRL Board wish to thank Phil Davies for his time, energy and investment into the sport in Wales and he leaves a legacy of having given many young welsh players their first opportunity as a semi-professional rugby league player.”

Outgoing owner Phil Davies said: “It’s been an exciting and enjoyable four years at the helm with South Wales Scorpions, but due to my increasing work and personal commitments, I’m unable to commit to the amount of time required to run the club.

“It’s been exciting seeing Scorpions players develop and go on to play Super League and in the World Cup. In this year’s Wales squad we had seven former Scorpions players and that’s something to be proud of. Thank you to all the players who have turned out for us over the last four years and of course to all the fans and sponsors for all of their support.”