Hetherington confirms Leeds dual reg partnership with Featherstone

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington has confirmed that the club will have Championship outfit Featherstone Rovers as their dual registration partners in 2016.

Rovers have also offered Leeds the use of their indoor training facilities at the Big Fella’s Stadium, after the Rhinos’ own facilities were badly affected by flooding.

“Next season our support for Hunslet continues in the same way it has for the last several years. The only change is our top 25 players will be dual-registered with Featherstone,” Hetherington told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“In addition to our partnership with Hunslet we will have a new partnership with Featherstone Rovers. Featherstone will have a similar arrangement so their players are made available to Hunslet on a dual-registration basis.

“Our priority with all our players is their personal development, particularly players in numbers 21-25.

“The likes of Ashton Golding, Ash Handley, Jordan Lilley and Josh Walters are still learning and clearly we want them to be playing at the highest-possible level.”

Featherstone coach Jon Sharp also welcomed the deal.

“Hopefully it’s a partnership that stands the test of time,” he said.

“It will help the development of players and clubs and it’s something we are really keen on doing.

“All three parties are excited about the chance to share ideas and work with one another to try and improve players.

“If we develop players who improve and kick on, that will be great. Leeds are the benchmark and it can only be positive for us.”