London Broncos announce new era for Rugby League in London
Jake Watson • 21 May 2025
London Broncos announce new era for Rugby League in London
Gary Hetherington has today presented a five-year plan to realise a new vision for Rugby League in London and the South-East of England.
Hetherington today hosted a media event at Australia House on The Strand in London, where he outlined plans to develop a new ownership group, launch a new brand for the 2026 season, and committed to reinstating the London Player Academy. He also said the club will remain based at AFC Wimbledon and confirmed a new partnership with international sports advisory firm Freshwater Strategy to revitalise the club.
“Rugby League is at a significant moment both nationally and globally, and London needs to be a part of that,” explained Hetherington whose career in Rugby League administration has spanned four decades beginning with the foundation of the Sheffield Eagles club and then since 1996 the revitalisation of the Leeds Rhinos.
“Stephen Smith, Australia’s High-Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and his team recognise the importance of Rugby League in terms of our links to Australia and the wider South Pacific – and in a year when we will see the return of the Rugby League Ashes for the first time since 2003, with the First Test at Wembley on October 25, this is the perfect time to consider how best to maximise that potential.
“The sport may have been born in the North, but its links to London stretch back more than a century – even before the decision to take the Challenge Cup Final to Wembley in 1929.
“This year, Wembley will stage two major Rugby League occasions – Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day on June 7, followed by the first Ashes Test in 22 years.
“That’s a timely reminder of the importance of the health of the sport in London and the South as we continue to stage our major occasions in front of a national audience.
“One of the purposes of holding the launch event was to illustrate that London has continued to deliver for Rugby League, even with the Broncos club out of the Super League.
“There are products of the London Academy scattered around other clubs, from Mike McMeeken at Wakefield Trinity to Kai Pearce-Paul at the Newcastle Knights in Australia.
“London Broncos Women reached the Quarter Finals of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup this season, and London Roosters will play in the Final of the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup for the first time next month after beating Leeds Rhinos in Saturday’s Semi Final.
“The quality of the community teams in the Southern Conference League should not be underestimated, as Wests Warriors showed in their run to the Third Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup and a highly creditable performance against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley.
“There is so much to work with – and the Rugby League environment is receptive, with the NRL thriving in the southern hemisphere, and IMG’s strategic plan for reimagining Rugby League in the UK and Europe gathering momentum.”
The London Broncos and international sports advisory firm Freshwater Strategy are also pleased to announce a partnership to revitalise the iconic London Rugby League club. This partnership will leverage London’s dynamic sports market to build a world-class franchise under new ownership and propel the Broncos back to the Super League.
Freshwater has a proven track record of driving team transformations through market-leading sports advisory services, delivering success across a wide range of sporting codes.
“Freshwater Strategy is pleased to be leveraging our global offices in Sydney and London, and strong pedigree in the Australian game to turn London’s flagship rugby league team into a beacon of growth in the UK”, said Freshwater Director Jonathon Flegg.
“Freshwater's partnership with London Rugby is focused on growing sponsors and investment underpinned by NRL partnerships and an exciting and contemporary club rebrand. Our aspiration is to help catapult the club back into the Super League, with the strongest brand, membership, merchandise, venue, sponsorships, governance and on-field competitiveness.”
London Broncos Director of Rugby and Performance Mike Eccles has spoken on today’s announcement and his vision for continuing to discover and nurture talent in the south of the country.
“There is an obvious requirement to strengthen the team for 2025 which is currently active and ongoing. However it is our ambition to ensure we build not only a competitive squad for the present, but also a squad that is built largely on homegrown talent for sustained and lasting success for the future.
“We remain committed to providing professional Rugby League opportunities for young players from London and the South of England. To do so we plan to work closely with the RFL to resurrect professional academy structures and begin to rebuild a system that taps into the games largest and most diverse talent pool. We recognise the incredible work that goes on at junior league level in the south and within the Southern Conference League. We hope to work closer than ever before with all clubs in the South in an attempt to support player and coach development.
“Recent history has shown that both London Broncos and the wider game benefit from strong junior development structures in the South. It is our commitment to ensure these structures are resurrected and the quality work from the past is built on to create an unrivalled talent pathway. The journey to producing the next Kai Pearce-Paul, Mike McMeeken or Bill Leyland begins now.”
Ends.
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London Broncos sign Connor Barley on loan London Broncos can announce Connor Barley has joined the club on a month long loan deal from Hull KR The 20-year-old winger or centre joins the squad this week and is available for selection for Sunday's trip to Doncaster. Barley made is Super League debut for The Robins in 2022 against St Helens and has gone on to play another three times scoring one try. In 2023 he would spend time on loan with York Knights and in 2024 he played 8 times for Featherstone Rovers on dual registration. #WeAreLondon
AUSTRALIA HOUSE GALLERY It was an historic day for Rugby League as Gary Hetherington announced his ownership of the club and plans to bring Super League back to London. The Leeds Chief Executive will relinquish his role after 26 years at the Rhinos at the end of the season before moving his full focus to London. For the full press release of the plans announced today CLICK HERE. It was a room full of incredibly important figures in Rugby League and also within the Australian Embassy. You can take a look through today's gallery for a full run down of today's guests. #WeAreLondon
INTERVIEW: Gary Hetherington on new era at London Broncos Today (May 21st) Gary Hetherington announced a new era for Rugby League in London. Hetherington today hosted a media event at Australia House on The Strand in London, where he outlined plans to develop a new ownership group, launch a new brand for the 2026 season, and committed to reinstating the London Player Academy. He also said the club will remain based at AFC Wimbledon and confirmed a new partnership with international sports advisory firm Freshwater Strategy to revitalise the club. To find out more about the vision and plans watch the full interview below. #WeAreLondon
THROWBACK HIGHLIGHTS: Dean Whare Two years ago today we completed the signing of Dean Whare for the remainder of the 2023 Championship season. The New Zealand international had enjoyed a stellar career playing for Manly and the Penrith Panthers for a number of years before joining Catalans Dragons. In just 13 London Broncos appearances, Whare would score 12 tries and rack up a number of try assists making a spectacular impact on the team on the way to promotion. What was your favourite Whare moment in a Broncos jersey? Watch his highlights on the video below. video credit: JBP Sports Edits. #WeAreLondon
ETHAN NATOLI REJOINS LONDON BRONCOS London Broncos are delighted to announce Ethan Natoli has rejoined the club on a deal until the end of the season. The Italian international was a hugely popular figure at the club in his two seasons prior to joining Pia in France’s top division.
Lifelong London Broncos supporter Cliff Dean passes away We are deeply saddened to notify supporters that lifelong fan Cliff Dean has sadly passed away. ‘Cliffie’ was known amongst all London Broncos supporters and his presence at the club will be sorely missed. His brother, Richard has sent the club the following message; “Cliff absolutely loved London Broncos and followed them near and far since the early days at Fulham, even including a trip to Australia to watch them in the World Club Challenge. “Please pass on our thanks to David Hughes and everyone at the club who have looked out for Cliff and made him feel a valued fan.” “Cliffie’, who regularly came along to training sessions to have a chat with members of staff, recently donated his proud collection of programmes which included some from the very early days of the club’s existence. Funeral details will be shared with supporters and Richard has asked for supporters to attend and to wear their favourite London Broncos shirt. His passing will be recognised with a tribute at the upcoming game against Widnes on the 31st. RIP CLIFFIE #WeAreLondon
UP NEXT: Doncaster RLFC vs London Broncos London Broncos head into Round 11 of the 2025 Championship season next with a trip up to South Yorkshire . After back-to-back home games we now head to Doncaster looking to return to winnings ways. The last league fixture between the two sides back in 2015 with the Broncos winning 30-4 at the old Keepmoat stadium before it was redeveloped. The last home game vs Doncaster was in the Challenge Cup at Rosslyn Park with Broncos running out comfortable winners 66-16. Tickets for the game must be purchased directly through the Doncaster website with a link - HERE!
Ebbsfleet and why we do it! We have had a number of requests as to why we have taken a little break from the Cherry Red Records Stadium during the season in the past 4 years and headed to the Kuflink Stadium in Ebbsfleet - so we're going to break it down for you! When sharing a stadium with a football team who play the bulk of their season during the winter, there is always going to be a level of complication when it comes to the football offseason and the condition of their pitch ahead of the next season. Therefore, for the couple of months which AFC Wimbledon need to take care of their pitch to make sure that it is in optimal condition ahead of the new season, we need a temporary new home to play our games, and this is where Ebbsfleet United FC comes in. Luckily, when searching for a temporary home in 2022 during our first year at Wimbledon we came across Ebbsfleet United & CEO Damian Irvine, an Australian who has previously been the chairman of NRL side Cronulla Sharks in addition to working with English Rugby League teams Bradford Bulls & Hunslet RLFC who was more than happy to establish a relationship with the Broncos to bring Rugby League to Kent.
NEXT HOME GAME!! London Broncos welcome Widnes Vikings to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on May 31st and tickets are now available to buy - HERE! Fans are encouraged to buy tickets for this game as you will have to wait until August 3rd for the next home fixture at The Cherry Red Records Stadium. Tickets for this game are priced at; Adults - £20 Concessions - £15 Kids - £5
