New expansion side created in exciting move
27th July 2018 , AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester, England; Betfred Super League rugby, Round 23, Salford Red Devils v Leeds Rhinos; Betfred rugby balls
A new rugby league side has been created that highlights the sport’s appetite for expansion.
The Anglian Vipers were announced as the newest side to join rugby league as the RFL released a statement on their Twitter account to welcome them.
The Vipers will be based in Wymondham in Norfolk and will aim to participate in the East Rugby League senior competition in 2022.
The new club will also plan to have a junior section in the future – called The Adders.
Their badge features a viper with red and blue colouring which may well be the Vipers’ club kit colours also.
👋 A warm welcome to Rugby League's newest club, @AnglianVipersRL!
🐍 The Vipers will be based in Wymondham, Norfolk, and are aiming to take part in the @East_RL senior competition in 2022, with plans for a junior section going forward. pic.twitter.com/cPY1cql0yw
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) January 12, 2022
In recent years, expansion has had a number of success stories with the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique both featuring in the Super League and Championship Grand Finals in 2021, whilst Newcastle Thunder are making impressive waves in the second tier and Cornwall RLFC have just been created.
Of course, the Toronto Wolfpack faced an unseemly demise during 2020, but they took League 1 and the Championship by storm prior to their downfall following the COVID-19 situation.
It remains to be seen how Norfolk will take to rugby league, but who knows what the appetite is like in that county.