SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Canadian side to join English RL

A Canadian team could be in the English Super League within a few years after the introduction of a team in the third tear of English rugby league.

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Ambitious plans to introduce a Canadian team into English domestic rugby league have been given the go-ahead.

Details of a Toronto-based club's admission to League One, the third-tier of the professional game, from 2017 will be revealed at a launch in both Canada and the UK on Wednesday.

Former Great Britain coach Brian Noble, one of the most successful coaches in Super League following his stint at Bradford from 2000-06, will be confirmed as the new club's director of rugby, with ex-Leigh boss Paul Rowley the first head coach.

The project, which is the brainchild of Canadian entrepreneur Eric Perez, has the official backing of the Rugby Football League and received overwhelming support from the clubs.

The first Canadian trans-Atlantic professional sports team is expected to play home games at Lamport Stadium in Toronto in blocks of three or four and go "on the road" for a similar length of time in the UK.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

It is thought the team will initially be based in England but the long-term aim will be to use players from the Canadian domestic competition and it could even become a stepping stone for a team in the United States.

Perez was thwarted in his initial plan to enter a team in Super League but will aim to achieve his ambition through promotion.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world