Wakefield Trinity are setting themselves up nicely for the 2024 campaign with a whole new set of coaching staff, some elite retention and recruitment and importantly good off-field work, that’s now included the agreement of a dual registration deal with Super League champions Wigan Warriors.
Dual reg deals can be so important for both parties, giving Championship and League One sides some elite prospects and a boost in talent, whilst for the Super League team it obviously provides a great way for them to blood their youngsters into the game.
It can also hep serve as a rehabilitation process for some players, as Wigan showed last season with Iain Thornley often on loan in the Championship as part of dual registration deals. However now the 2024 season will see Trinity and Wigan link together in this deal, another huge plus for the Championship side in their attempt to return to Super League.
Such a deal in this instance could see the likes of Wigan’s brand new signing Sam Eseh return to his former club Wakefield to get game time, something that could well happen given how stacked Wigan’s pack is for the 2024 season.
Trinity confirmed the news via their social media, releasing the following statement on their club website: “Wakefield Trinity is delighted to announce that a Dual Registration agreement has been reached between ourselves and Wigan Warriors for the 2024 season.
“We see this as potentially very beneficial to both parties. For ourselves, it will allow us to access the vast talent bank within the large Warriors first team squad. It will allow young quality players to play for our club on both short and longer term bases.
“For Wigan, with probably the largest squad in Super League, it gives added flexibility to better manage their playing resources and enable first team squad members to gain valuable experience and maintain their necessary fitness levels.”
Head Coach, Daryl Powell said: “This dual registration agreement with Wigan will be hugely beneficial to both clubs. We will be able to give great opportunities to some of the best young players in the country, which in turn will give us strength and depth across the whole squad. I’m looking forward to working with Matty Peat and the whole Wigan club for mutually beneficial gain.”
As for Wigan they have also commented on the deal, stating: “Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity are pleased to announce a dual-registration partnership for the 2024 season.
“The link with the Championship Club will offer some of Wigan’s transition players the opportunity to gain valuable and regular first-team experience and play competitive Rugby League to help with their development.
“The arrangement between the two clubs will see Wigan players continue to be registered to the Warriors and also registered to play for Wakefield.
“When a Wigan player goes on dual registration to Wakefield, 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 Wakefield and Wigan during the same weekend.
“Dual-registration was first brought into the game in 2013 and Wigan have had previous partnerships with Swinton Lions, London Skolars, Newcastle Thunder, Oldham Roughyeds and London Broncos.”
Wigan Warriors transition coach John Duffy said: “We are really looking forward to working with Daryl and his staff.
“Our young players will be really well coached and will gain valuable experience in a different environment.”
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