Sheffield forge Limoux partnership

Sheffield have broke the trend of Championship clubs hooking up with Super League counterparts, by forging links with French Elite One club Limoux Grizzlies.

The agreement between the two clubs with see the exchange of players and coaches and arrangements are being made for Limoux to host a pre-season training camp for the Eagles.

The two teams will also play in friendly at the picturesque Stade de l’Aiguille as the Eagles prepare to defend the Championship Trophy in 2013.

Informal discussions between the clubs have been ongoing for a number of years but were formalised during a recent trip to Limoux by the Eagles’ Chairman Ian Swire and Chief Executive and Head Coach Mark Aston.

Swire said: “We consider this arrangement to be a partnership from which both parties can benefit and will help the development of rugby league in both France and South Yorkshire.”

“Whilst other Championship Clubs are entering partnerships with Super League clubs we do not consider that to be in the best long-term interests of rugby league development in South Yorkshire.”

Limoux director Frederic Teixido played for the Eagles back in 1999, and he introduced the club to Limoux president Laurent Moreno.

Swire added: Swire added, “I have known Freddie for about 15 years and in 2011 he introduced me to Laurent (Moreno) and we found that we all shared a passion for development of the game and particularly youth development.”

“Giving youngsters opportunities to not only play but to travel and encounter other cultures will be great for both parties.”

“If the pre-season trip for the senior side is a success then we envisage that our academy will have the opportunity to travel to France and also for the Limoux juniors to visit Sheffield in the future.”