The Sydney Roosters are thrilled to announce the formation of a strategic partnership with the USA Rugby League (USARL) as their Game Development Partner for a minimum of the next three years.
This landmark collaboration underscores the Roosters' commitment to growing the game of rugby league internationally and nurturing talent across borders.
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The partnership will focus on a wide range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the development of rugby league in the United States. Key elements of the partnership include:
Roosters West Coast Rugby League Academy: The Sydney Roosters are granted naming rights sponsorship for the establishment of the Roosters West Coast Rugby League Academy. The Academy’s goal is to identify and develop talented youth rugby league players and provide elite coaching and training programs for young men and women across the US, with a base on the West Coast. Camps will be held several times throughout the year, with Roosters coaching staff attending to support the local Academy staff.
USA National Elite Youth Team Sponsorship: The Sydney Roosters will be the major sponsor of the USA National Elite Youth representative team participating in the European Championships this July in Serbia with the front of the team jerseys to feature the Roosters West Coast Academy logo.
USA National Hawks Sponsorship: The Sydney Roosters will be the back-of-shorts partner for both the Men’s and Women’s USA National Hawks teams. Additionally, the Roosters will be the Referees Sponsor for the USARL domestic competition, with the Roosters logo appearing on the national team shorts and referee shirts. In the second year of the partnership, the Roosters logo will also appear on every football used for training and matches across domestic competitions.
Club Development Fund: Annual funding will be placed in a Club Development Fund enabling clubs from the four conferences (Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL), Utah, Rugby League United and Florida Rugby League) can apply for this funding to support the growth of rugby league awareness and participation in their regions.
“We are extremely excited to partner with USA Rugby League,” said Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly.
“This landmark agreement presents a unique opportunity to expand the reach of rugby league and share our expertise in game development with a passionate and growing rugby community in the United States. We believe this partnership will have a significant impact on the growth of the sport internationally and we are incredibly optimistic as to the opportunities that exist to unearth future rugby league talent in the US,” he added.
USARL Chair, Matt Goschnick, spoke about the unprecedented investment and commitment from the Sydney Roosters and what it means for the growth of rugby league in the United States.
"We hope it serves as a catalyst for future investment in the game across the nation by the NRL and other partners as we continue to develop and grow awareness in the game.
“This is an exciting day and marks a significant milestone for rugby league in the United States with the announcement of a new partnership between the Sydney Roosters and the USARL,” said Mr Goschnick.
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This landmark agreement presents a unique opportunity to expand the reach of rugby league and share our expertise in game development with a passionate and growing rugby community in the United States.
Joe Kelly Sydney Roosters | Easts Group CEO
“This collaboration will create unprecedented opportunities for both male and female athletes, establishing a clear pathway for those involved in or aspiring to join the sport.
"In the U.S., only 6.8% of male athletes and 9.5% of female athletes transition from high school to NCAA college programs. Moreover, just 3.06% of men and 0.8% of women reach professional sports. This partnership with the Roosters offers these athletes a chance to pursue their dreams of becoming professional athletes through our programs.
“Our goal is to see players from this program secure NRL contracts in the coming years. As a board, we are committed to continually seeking opportunities to support the growth of the game and recognising the efforts of our volunteers. This partnership with the Roosters exemplifies our dedication to creating further opportunities for all involved in Rugby League in the U.S.,” he added.
Ady Cooney, President of the PCRL, added: “This announcement marks a new beginning for Rugby League in the US and especially on the West Coast. We're excited to see how the Roosters can boost the game's visibility, develop local talent, and create pathways into the NRL and NRLW.”
This partnership with the Roosters offers these athletes a chance to pursue their dreams of becoming professional athletes through our programs.
Matt Goschnick USARL Chair
In an additional investment to the USARL agreement, the Sydney Roosters will enter a team in the PCRL conference as the Los Angeles Roosters for the 2025 season. The jersey will feature the Los Angeles Roosters and PCRL logos. The team will be located between Newport and Long Beach and will be coached and managed by an LA local, Emiliano Nash, who has permitted the club to rebrand the team he founded in 2023.
“Through the Roosters’ involvement in the Pacific Coast conference, our vision is to see many more people take up the game of rugby league, and what drew us to Emiliano is he is specifically focused on supporting youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to try our great game. Along with our Roosters West Coast Academy, we will be supporting the coaches and players with equipment, facilities and skill-based development programs,” said Mr Kelly.
“In keeping with the League of Roosters (LOR) that our Chairman Nick Politis established, the LA Roosters will become the 26th club to join the LOR, with five of these being based outside of Australia,” he added.
Speaking about the establishment of the Los Angeles Roosters, Mr Nash said: “I truly believe there’s a lot of talent here in the U.S., and the fact that we will be part of this journey is a blessing. The name will change, but our goal remains the same. Thank you, Sydney Roosters, for the opportunity and support to grow this game. Welcome the Los Angeles Roosters!” he added.
