General Warriors officially take over Vulcans

[Hitman82]

The Vodafone Warriors and the Auckland Rugby League today announced they had reached agreement for the NRL club to take over operation of the Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup.

Originally set up by the Mount Albert club as the Auckland Lions in 2007, the Vulcans have until now been run on a joint venture basis between the ARL and the Vodafone Warriors.

ARL chairman Cameron McGregor said the timing was right for the Vodafone Warriors to take control.

“Our original aim was to develop an outlet for local amateur players to play at the best level possible but stay in Auckland,” he said.

“A lot of our club players have benefited from the exposure with the Vulcans and have brought that valuable experience back into our Fox Memorial competition.

“Apart from players, the Vulcans have also provided a pathway for our local coaches, football staff, managers and match officials and we look forward to this continuing in the future.

“A highlight for everyone involved in rugby league in Auckland was seeing the Vulcans play in the 2011 New South Wales Cup grand final on a day when New Zealand teams lined up in all three grand finals.

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed and have benefited from our involvement with the Vulcans and working with the Vodafone Warriors. However, the time is right for us to focus even more on our Auckland club football and rugby league at school level, especially on the back of the College Rugby League First XIII Competition’s hugely successful first season.”

Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah applauded the ARL for supporting a team which had helped to develop players and rugby league in the Auckland region.

“Without the ARL’s foresight we wouldn’t have had the Vulcans at all,” he said.

“We’re enormously grateful to them for making the venture possible and providing such valuable assistance in helping with the development of rugby league players and the game generally.

“After seven years it’s a good time for us to fully integrate the team into our organisation and provide a seamless transition from our development squad to the NYC, the New South Wales Cup and the NRL.

“This means the ARL’s financial contribution to the New South Wales Cup team will end immediately.”

New South Wales Rugby League chief executive Dave Trodden also complimented the Vulcans’ organisation for their contribution to the New South Wales Cup.

“They put in a lot of work to make it possible for us to have a New Zealand side in the competition,” he said.

“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. By having the Vulcans involved, our competition has grown considerably in its standing.

“The association with the Vulcans has been enormously beneficial to the New South Wales Cup and the other clubs by helping players experience the challenges of preparing for and coping with the travel demands involved in away games in another country. They’ve enjoyed the chance they’ve had of playing games outside New South Wales and we relished the chance to work with the Auckland Rugby League at executive level. We’ve built up a strong relationship with them.

“We now look forward to working with the Vodafone Warriors and we’re excited to have another NRL club fielding their own team in the New South Wales Cup.”

Scurrah said the highly-experienced Rohan Smith would soon be back at Mount Smart Stadium in his capacity as fulltime coach of the Vodafone Warriors’ New South Wales Cup side (he previously worked with the club in 2003-2004). Smith was assistant coach of the Penrith team which beat the Vodafone Junior Warriors in the NYC grand final on October 6.

Scurrah said the Vodafone Warriors’ NSW Cup side would now give the club an official team for players not selected to play in the NRL as well as being used to develop NYC players (as it was this year for David Bhana, Siliva Havili, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Albert Vete and David Fusitua). Bhana, Havili, Faitala-Mariner and Vete have all been upgraded to fulltime NRL contracts for the 2014 season while Fusitua is still NYC eligible.

Scurrah said additional players would also be contracted to the NSW Cup side.
He said more announcements would follow about the squad including the launch of a new playing kit for the team.

 

[¿N. ig-mah¿]

So does this mean they will go under the Warriors name, or will they remain the Vulcans?

It can only be good for the club, players and competition.

 

[snake77]

I took it that way with the Vodafone Warriors NSW Cup side quote.

This probably aligns with the plans the owners outlined last year to grow the club and the plans by the NRL have currently reviewing the NSW Cup / second tier structure.

More players under contract as well is a good thing as well.

For out homes games we often have all 3 grades; imagine if that is the way from now on. When the club goes away for an away game they will pretty much take up the whole plan.

 

[tajhay]

That is fantastic news and has been on the cards for a while. Having the Vulcans and Warriors on the same wavelength will go a long way towards ensuring our players are more ready when they make it into first grade.

So does this mean they will go under the Warriors name, or will they remain the Vulcans?

I suspect they will be using the Warriors name, or atleast the warriors logo as Scurrah in the last line suggested that the team will now have a new playing kit.

 

[Apus]

Does this mean that there will be players playing for the Warriors NSW cup side that won't be contracted to the Warriors? Have all NSW cup players previously held some sort of Warriors contract? Seems bit weird in that regard.

Really though there's no down side, and it makes the NSW cup side seem like less of a punishment, or place where all the bads are.

 

[eudebrito]

CCC can now add at least 3 new kits for the warrior-vulcans, winning.

 

[Maraea]

Thus ending the need for a development relationship with Wigan beyond 2014?

 

[ramraider78]

Well I did say this season that ARL still was behind the Vulcans financially, this is great IMO brings everything back into the fold for the Warriors. Player pathway looks good for the future.

ARL chairman Cam Mcgregor is worried about his job why this has come about - time to open the books buddy. For years Auckland clubs have been playing big money into the Vulcans for little results or benefits - lol no more telling clubs at conference of the clubs meeting to shut up an sit down when they question the financials behind the vulcans; to many auckland clubs are rallying against this, even the college comp has come unstuck in the background because of the lack of consultation from the ARL board to it's members, chairman's vote is up now , lol what timing for this announcement.

At least there won't be any questions about Vulcan player eligibility for the local Fox comp next year - no suspcions of bias from the management since rohan smith has come on board.

Some won't understand my rants, but when you've played the game locally for years and seen what your local club get's, you wonder where the money goes? My club is struggling to attract money but we have the largest registration numbers in the country (also one of the poorest) with the top results, but nothing trickles down from the power brokers.

Thanks to the Admins of the forum for letting me have this rant on here, love freedom of speech - go on FB and question ARL they quickly delete comments.

 

[Hitman82]

Thus ending the need for a development relationship with Wigan beyond 2014?

Actually, this enhances the avenues for Wigan players to gain experience with us, as we will have a third team to give them experience in.

Haha, everybody's going to love the multiple new jerseys!

While it will be sad to say goodbye to the Vulcans brand, its only logical for them to be called the NZ Warriors NSW Cup side.

 

[Miket12]

Excellent news - something I've said should have happened long ago to ensure we can keep a number of the Juniors in the club who may not be up to being given contracts to the FG team, can be given NSW Cup contracts in order to keep them in the club environment.

 

[Leaguenut76]

People need to understand that nothing will change from what has happened over the last 2 years other than a name change and ARL not putting money in. The Warriors have contracted up to 12 players for each of the last 2 years and have employed all staff etc. Unless there is a change in the 2nd tier salary cap, no extra players will be able to be signed.

 

[gREVUS]

are you saying that only 12 contracted players can fit in Warriors B team? How many of he warriors regularly play in the Vulcans atm, 4- 6 ? so that brings the total to 18? Not really enough for a serious team is it? if they all come under warriors management there would have to be a strategy of (guessing here) not likely to play NRL contracts and likely to play contracts that are limited ? seems weird to me. Or I have something really wrong in my thought process

 

[Danco]

Actually, this enhances the avenues for Wigan players to gain experience with us, as we will have a third team to give them experience in.

Haha, everybody's going to love the multiple new jerseys!

While it will be sad to say goodbye to the Vulcans brand, its only logical for them to be called the NZ Warriors NSW Cup side.

This is the old reserve side rebranded,about time.

 

[Leaguenut76]

If you look at last year, the warriors had a full time squad of 35 (at the start of the year) which consisted of the top 25 players + 10 players on second tier contracts. Also you have another 25-30 on 20's contracts and the 12 NSW Cup contracts. That's 70+ players available to be selected for 3 sides. Outside of the above there was another 6 players on ARL contracts to cover for injuries etc.

 

[gREVUS]

If you look at last year, the warriors had a full time squad of 35 (at the start of the year) which consisted of the top 25 players + 10 players on second tier contracts. Also you have another 25-30 on 20's contracts and the 12 NSW Cup contracts. That's 70+ players available to be selected for 3 sides. Outside of the above there was another 6 players on ARL contracts to cover for injuries etc.

Thanks LNut, that makes things a lot clearer. I guess the only question mark is the 6 on ARL contracts as they would have to move over to the warriors franchise now

 

[Hitman82]

Thanks LNut, that makes things a lot clearer. I guess the only question mark is the 6 on ARL contracts as they would have to move over to the warriors franchise now

Could we not employ players to play in our feeder team outside of the NRL squad, who are not going to be used for NRL at all? Even on match payments or whatever

 

[Wellington Warrior]

Lol... more jerseys to sell

 

[Leaguenut76]

Could we not employ players to play in our feeder team outside of the NRL squad, who are not going to be used for NRL at all? Even on match payments or whatever

I think you can but if they do need to play NRL due to injuries etc. you end up in the situation Penrith where with Moylan this year. I think you would struggle to sign decent players without the carrot of playing NRL.

 

[Maraea]

1. Its definitely ideal structure wise for the Warriors to be in control of the Vulcans.
2. If the Warriors get a future Benji or Andrew Johns out of such an arrangement (Wigan), then it would be worth it. But still not keen on 18 year olds, or whatever was on the cards for trading.
3. I'm glad the ARL finally let go. The Warriors are just one of many pathways. Talent will always shine, talent will always have options.
4. Can anyone confirm the extra money next year, for reserve grade?

 

[slaughterhouse.sa]

Well I did say this season that ARL still was behind the Vulcans financially, this is great IMO brings everything back into the fold for the Warriors. Player pathway looks good for the future.

ARL chairman Cam Mcgregor is worried about his job why this has come about - time to open the books buddy. For years Auckland clubs have been playing big money into the Vulcans for little results or benefits - lol no more telling clubs at conference of the clubs meeting to shut up an sit down when they question the financials behind the vulcans; to many auckland clubs are rallying against this, even the college comp has come unstuck in the background because of the lack of consultation from the ARL board to it's members, chairman's vote is up now , lol what timing for this announcement.

At least there won't be any questions about Vulcan player eligibility for the local Fox comp next year - no suspcions of bias from the management since rohan smith has come on board.

Some won't understand my rants, but when you've played the game locally for years and seen what your local club get's, you wonder where the money goes? My club is struggling to attract money but we have the largest registration numbers in the country (also one of the poorest) with the top results, but nothing trickles down from the power brokers.

Thanks to the Admins of the forum for letting me have this rant on here, love freedom of speech - go on FB and question ARL they quickly delete comments.

I agree with your with a lot of what you are saying and I have a pretty good idea of the situation.

As for the College Comp - it's a no brainer and to me there was some major successes there - it was on tv, regular coverage and improved quality.
Whether the clubs are happy about everything? Im sure ARL can always finance it better.
- Im sure I read the Warriors were the major sponsor - which means they would of gave significant money and/or contra etc.

I totally agree the Clubs need to exercise their power and be smarter how they do that. That means hold people more accountable that might mean change at ARL level.
People there have been there for like 20 years lol.

However in saying that ARL have to do whats right by the game and grow the game - I am sure they get funding from SPort NZ not just Carlaw Park.
Therefore growing school league is something they have to do. Clubs have to understand that.

As for clubs - including your club if they are losing money - with ARL's help they need to look the club model. Money given out in grants - would often be mispent and wasted by clubs - or at the very least the money wont be sustainable.
Clubs need to start charging more money for fees etc[DOUBLEPOST=1381899522][/DOUBLEPOST]

People need to understand that nothing will change from what has happened over the last 2 years other than a name change and ARL not putting money in. The Warriors have contracted up to 12 players for each of the last 2 years and have employed all staff etc. Unless there is a change in the 2nd tier salary cap, no extra players will be able to be signed.

They can be signed ...it doesnt matter.
They only affect the 2nd tier Salary cap if they play NRL.

They could sign a whole lot of fringe NRL players - play them in NSW Cup and leave a little in 2nd tier salary cap and just promote a player who is in form.

Thats how I understand it anyway.