Broncos bring in Australian firm to 'catapult' club
London Broncos have partnered with Australia firm Freshwater Strategy to develop a new ownership group and "catapult" the club back to the top of rugby league.Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington, who is stepping down from the Rhinos at the end of this season, is currently advising the Championship club.The Broncos will remain based at AFC Wimbledon's ground and will also re-establish an academy as part of a five-year plan to "rebrand" the club.The club lost their Super League status at the end of 2024 due to a new grading system and, in September, owner David Hughes put the club up for sale after 27 years."Rugby league is at a significant moment both nationally and globally, and London needs to be a part of that," said Hetherington at an event at Australia House in London."Stephen Smith, Australia's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, and his team recognise the importance of rugby league in terms of our links to Australia and the wider South Pacific."And in a year when we will see the return of the Rugby League Ashes for the first time since 2003, with the first Test at Wembley on 25 October, this is the perfect time to consider how best to maximise that potential."
Freshwater Strategy is a sports advisory firm and their involvement aims to turn London Broncos into a "world-class franchise under new ownership", a statement said.Broncos have a rich history in the sport, finishing second in Super League during owner Hughes' first year at the club in 1997 and also reaching the Challenge Cup final in 1999."Freshwater's partnership with London Rugby is focused on growing sponsors and investment underpinned by NRL [National Rugby League] partnerships and an exciting and contemporary club rebrand," Freshwater director Jonathon Flegg said. "Our aspiration is to help catapult the club back into the Super League, with the strongest brand, membership, merchandise, venue, sponsorships, governance and on-field competitiveness."Broncos currently sit second bottom of the Championship, with just two wins from nine league games played this season."There is an obvious requirement to strengthen the team for 2025 which is currently active and ongoing," said director of rugby and performance Mike Eccles."However it is our ambition to ensure we build not only a competitive squad for the present, but also a squad that is built largely on homegrown talent for sustained and lasting success for the future."
'Lure of London' from Australia
Matt Newsum, BBC Sport rugby league reporterWhile this isn't the Broncos' first rodeo in terms of new ownership and grand plans, the identity of those involved in this venture definitely brings with it some credibility and the hope that this won't be just another dawn of disappointment.Gary Hetherington built Sheffield Eagles up from scratch and turned Leeds into one of the most respected rugby league clubs in the world, so he's experienced life at both ends and his expertise will be invaluable.The call to restore the academy is a key factor as it plays into the hands of a club which has thrived on producing players, and has a huge catchment area of athletic talent to draw upon across the city if they get their development strategy right.Freshwater's involvement highlights both the interest in and lure of London from the Australian perspective, and with the National Rugby League reportedly keen on investment in the league as a whole, a thriving Broncos is seen as key to both their and strategic partner IMG's hopes for the game.Having a stable base in Wimbledon might also be helpful, as the Broncos' nomadic status has perhaps been an issue in them laying down roots and establishing a fanbase.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
28 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Luxury UK car makers hit by ‘multiple geopolitical headwinds'
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said companies such as Aston Martin, McLaren and Morgan are having to cope with volatile trading conditions, decarbonisation rules and production cost pressures. The study found the total turnover of the UK's high-value, small-volume manufacturers in 2024 was more than £5.5 billion, with around nine in 10 of their vehicles shipped overseas. They were responsible for just 4% of the UK's car production, but accounted for 12% of its value. In excess of 15,000 people are employed in high-skilled, well-paid jobs by the companies, the SMMT found. The report stated: 'The UK's small volume manufacturers face a series of challenges … (which) threaten competitiveness and growth.' SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: 'Britain's luxury, performance and niche vehicle makers are exemplars of automotive design, engineering and manufacturing – and a quintessential British success story. 'Government rightly recognises the importance of these high-value and iconic brands to the UK economy and, amid multiple geopolitical headwinds, the industry is looking to work together to ensure the sector can not just survive but thrive. 'A successful sector would deliver the economic growth, well-paid jobs and exports that Government craves, helping keep Britain firmly on the global automotive map.' Industry minister Sarah Jones, said: 'Our luxury automotive manufacturers are iconic British brands recognised worldwide, and this report rightly highlights the huge contribution they make to the UK economy. 'We're ensuring our carmakers go from strength to strength as we deliver our Plan for Change, and we've already secured landmark trade deals with the US and India, which will cut tariffs for the sector and create new export opportunities. 'Our modern industrial strategy will set out a long-term plan to support our manufacturers, including by creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs and opportunities to every part of the UK.' The UK-US trade deal was confirmed in a call between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on May 8. It included American tariffs on UK cars being 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported. Mr Trump had previously set the tariff rate on car exports to the US at 27.5%.
Reuters
34 minutes ago
- Reuters
US, China set for trade talks in London on Monday
Three of U.S. President Donald Trump's top aides will meet with their Chinese counterparts in London on Monday for talks aimed at resolving a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies that has kept global markets on edge. Julian Satterthwaite reports.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Socceroos embrace Saudi challenge with World Cup spot tantalisingly close
The reputation he has cultivated may be austere, but Tony Popovic isn't made of stone. So when Aziz Behich scored what will go down as one of the more famous goals in Socceroos history last week, there was scope to celebrate and enjoy the moment amid a late night back at the team hotel. Players and coaches stayed up to see if Bahrain would do them a favour by taking points off Saudi Arabia, but when the Green Falcons secured a 2-0 win in Riffa, focus shifted to getting to bed, recovery and the task that awaited them in Jeddah. As Neil Warnock once said: 'By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being fucking disciplined.' Five days on, as Australia's men prepare to face Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium with a spot in the World Cup on the line, there are scant signs of any kind of physical or mental hangover from that evening in Perth. Largely restricted to their accommodations overlooking the Red Sea due to the fierce June heat buffeting the city – a heat that feels amplified when bouncing off the vast network of concrete highways and construction sites dotting around – there has been little to distract players from the task at hand. Their lives have become a cycle of rest, recovery, media for the unlucky few, and training. Given they maintain a three-point buffer on Saudi Arabia as well as a healthy advantage in goal difference and goals scored, all they need to do to punch their tickets to North America is to avoid conceding five goals or more. Not a crazy expectation for the equal-second most miserly defence in Asia playing against the equal-second most toothless attack. Yet almost as soon as this fixture was confirmed, none within the Australian camp have been willing to countenance any kind of narrative of complacency, damage limitation, parking of buses, or rearguard actions. The message is that qualification is not yet secured, and that means they're not in Jeddah to manage a draw or narrow loss. The Socceroos are out to win. 'We're going to be just as desperate as they are,' Riley McGree said. 'We want to win, we want to play our best football, and we want to put it beyond doubt as soon as possible. Their desperation will be matched just as much with our desperation and our performance.' Saudi coach Hervé Renard, for his part, knows the scale of the task at hand and that, in all likelihood, his side will be forced into a fourth stage of qualification in October. The swelling of the World Cup to 48 teams has removed some of the existential dread that defeat in a game like this – as the Socceroos experienced against the Saudis just over three years ago – may have once carried. 'For a lot of people, we are already in the playoffs in October. This, I feel, is what 99% of the people are thinking,' said Renard. 'So we don't have anything to lose. We just have to be ready to enjoy it and to satisfy our fans.' But this safety net means there is also little to disincentivise his side coming out of the blocks breathing fire, seeking an early goal that would bring the crowd into the game, heap pressure on the Australians, and potentially set the stage for a miraculous turnaround. It's something Socceroos players have noted – the intense pressure they'll likely be under in the opening stages. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion It is here, perhaps, where the biggest danger lies. The fear is they don't try and play the game but, with the potential reward (or disaster) so significant, get caught up in the sense of occasion. Saudi authorities have made tickets free for the fixture, ensuring the stands will be packed with partisan support and, if there is an early breakthrough, the already cauldron-like stadium could begin to reach boiling point. 'That's always challenging. But when you come to this level of football and you're representing your country, these are the challenges that you must face,' said Popovic. 'We've faced many together since I've become the coach… and we have one more now. I'm sure that young boys will embrace it. We have good, experienced players who can help them be ready. 'These are the moments that you want as a footballer. These are moments you want as a nation. We're excited. We embrace the challenge. We want to go to the World Cup. We're in a very good position. And tomorrow night, we understand we have to work extremely hard, but we have an opportunity to go directly to the World Cup, and we're confident that we can finish the job.'
