League One side Midlands Hurricanes have announced that they’ve landed a dual registration deal with Super League champions Wigan Warriors, becoming the second side that Matt Peet’s side have partnered with.
Wigan had previously confirmed that they had opted into a dual registration partnership with relegated Wakefield Trinity, something that Trinity boss Daryl Powell spoke upon only this week in reference to the side’s recruitment and squadbuilding.
However the Warriors have now agreed a second dual registration deal, this time with League One side Midlands Hurricanes thus highlighting the huge depth of Wigan’s squad and their academy.
The new partnership will also see the two teams face off against each other in a pre-season friendly in just over a weeks time on Saturday 20th January, marking and cementing the partnership.
It will be the first game Wigan have played since their victory at Old Trafford in October when they defeated Catalans Dragons to earn their fifth Super League title and first since 2018.
Midlands confirmed the dual reg partnership on social media, releasing an accompanying statement via their website.
It read: “Midlands Hurricanes and Wigan Warriors will meet in a friendly fixture at Alexander Stadium on Saturday 20th January to mark the start of a new partnership between the clubs.
“A new dual registration agreement between Wigan and the Hurricanes will allow Wigan’s reserve and youth players to gain valuable first team experience with the Hurricanes.
“The arrangement between the two clubs will see Wigan players continue to be registered to the Warriors and also registered to play for the Hurricanes.
“When a Wigan player goes on dual registration to Hurricanes, that player will be eligible to play and train with both clubs. The player is restricted to play in one fixture per scheduled round of fixtures in any given week and would not be eligible to play twice for Hurricanes and Wigan during the same weekend.”
Hurricanes head coach Mark Dunning has been speaking about this agreement: “It’s great news that the club partnership with Wigan Warriors is finalised and announced.“
“Wigan are one of the top clubs in the world and Current Super League champions so to have this holistic partnership that runs from bootroom to boardroom is fantastic and one that is very exciting.
“In addition I’m sure our fantastic storm card holders will be delighted by the added features available to them once they’re announced.”
Speaking on the dual registration agreement, Wigan Warriors Head of Youth Shane Eccles said: “Midlands have been building for a few years now and moving into a new stadium this year is helping develop them and expand Rugby League to a wider audience.
“This partnership is an opportunity for our young players to experience playing at a different level alongside helping the midlands develop further, both on and off the field. We look forward to working with Mark Dunning and giving our players a new opportunity in their development along our pathway.”
The clubs will also become more aligned off the field with Wigan Warriors and Midlands Hurricanes collaborating on projects together and sharing ideologies with each other at all levels.
