Dewsbury Rams can today announce that it will have a dual-reg agreement in place with Betfred Super League side Hull KR for the 2020 season.
Rams chairman Mark Sawyer said on the agreement: “Firstly I’d like to say how excited I am that we can work with Hull KR in this way. It gives ourselves as a club and Lee as a head coach different options for players.
“I would like to thank everyone at Hull KR for how they have helped to set the dual-reg agreement up. I’d like to especially thank owner Neil Hudgell, CEO Mike Smith and Rovers head coach Tony Smith.
“We are looking forward for the upcoming 2020 campaign and to see where this partnership takes us.”
Rams Head coach Lee Greenwood added: “I think the partnership with Hull KR will work really well and be of great benefit to both clubs. We are running with a smaller squad this year so it will be helpful to be able to call on whichever players Tony Smith and John Bastian make available.
“KR have a reserves team too which will allow some of our squad members to get game time when necessary. I think this partnership comes at an exciting time for both clubs as we look to be as competitive as possible in our respective divisions.
“We used a lot of loan players from different clubs last season, which caused disruption. I believe this agreement is a much better alternative for us. For some of our players, they could potentially impress the Hull KR staff and follow in the footsteps of Kyle Trout, who has earned himself a Super League contract after moving to KR from Dewsbury.”
This agreement will look to hand more opportunities for Hull KR and Dewsbury players to grab regular rugby league. This gives both clubs a chance to monitor their players in either East or West Yorkshire.
Hull KR CEO Mike Smith said: “I would like to thank Dewsbury for their assistance in making this partnership happen so swiftly.
“Special thanks to (Dewsbury chairman) Mark Sawyer, who I have dealt with before, and (head coach) Lee Greenwood for their vision and support.
“The partnership has the backing of everyone at Hull College Craven Park and we look forward to maximising the potential in the coming months. This was an easy decision for Hull Kingston Rovers.”
Adding dual-registration to the return of the clubs’ reserves structure and the relaunch of the Academy system means that Hull KR’s players have more opportunities at their disposal than ever before.
Head of Youth John Bastian added: “Aside from the first-team squad, dual-registration to the Championship is the next step for our players in terms of intensity.
“We have under-16s, under-18s and reserve teams in place too. And now, to dual-reg out to Dewsbury Rams, will be great for the players and it will work well for both clubs. That is the structure in place at Hull KR, from the bottom up, with the top level obviously being first-grade.
“Rugby League’s Achilles’ heel across the years has been having players that cannot get a game anywhere, with nowhere to play. There have been too many over the last five or six years that have been missing out on playing regularly if fit and able. That holds back their development and progress, as nothing compares to gameday for these players.
“Those that do go out to Dewsbury Rams will see it as a step up from our reserve grade, and significant for their progress. Our players have to take it seriously as the Championship division takes no prisoners.
“This partnership makes sense and Dewsbury will be competitive next year. Lee Greenwood is building himself a good portfolio as a coach.
“Any player that does go out on dual-reg will need to impress him to show that they are capable of the Championship and ready to then go onto Super League. I for one am excited to be part of this partnership with the Rams.”
