Warriors' new Queensland academy causes major blow to Broncos' talent nursery
For the New Zealand Warriors, who are chasing their first, the announcement of a new training academy in Logan is a leap in the right direction.
The region is no stranger to producing generational talent, including the most capped player in NRL history, Cameron Smith.
It was also home to the Broncos ' highest scorer and second most capped player, Corey Parker, and the Canberra Raiders ' games-record holder Josh Papali'i.
Lote Tuqiri, Brad Meyers and Jaydn Su'A are other elite stars to have been produced by the Logan Brothers junior powerhouse club alone.
Geographically, Logan is sandwiched inbetween the two major Queensland cities Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Where does that leave New Zealand?
According to Warriors CEO Cameron George, right in the middle. The club will be basing permanent staff and an elite academy in Logan.
'Our elite academy for boys and girls in Logan will provide a direct pathway to the New Zealand Warriors NRL and NRLW teams,' he said.
'Through the community program we'll also be offering come-and-try days, school visits and talent identification.
'It's about providing opportunities to all young people so they can reach their potential.'
The Warriors are looking to harness the region's seemingly endless bumper crop in this new partnership with the Logan City Council.
The Broncos have been recruiting young players in the area since the club's inception but, with more teams being added to the Queensland roster, the Logan talent pool has seen an increased demand.
The Gold Coast Titans have scouted their fair share of players north of the boarder, including David Fifita.
Neither club has ever committed to a permanent academy or program in Logan, leaving it open to an all-out assimilation from the Warriors.
The New Zealand team is announcing an academy that offers elite talent identification and training programs, which will extend to careers outside of rugby league.
The Warriors will be provided with playing fields and office spaces as part of their partnership with the Logan City Council.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the club is looking to harness the strong multicultural Queensland city.
'Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland,' he said.
'So many league legends have come from Logan and we're thrilled to welcome the Warriors to our city to nurture more NRL stars of the future.
'The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan – the youngest, most diverse and fastest growing city in Queensland.'
This move is one of many innovative advances that are changing the rugby league landscape.
With the game rapidly evolving outside of Australian shores, an international boom seems increasingly imminent.
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