Hornets Women announce strategic partnership with London Broncos Ladies

Rochdale Hornets Women and London Broncos Ladies are pleased to announce a ground-breaking strategic partnership aimed at providing London-based female rugby league players with valuable playing opportunities in the north of England.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the development of women’s rugby league in the UK as both clubs work together to foster talent, broaden access to elite competition and raise the profile of women’s rugby league across the country.

Under the terms of the partnership, London Broncos Ladies will work closely with Rochdale Hornets Women to provide a pathway for their players to gain exposure in competitive rugby league environments. 

The agreement will allow promising players from London to join Rochdale's training and matchday squads, gaining invaluable playing time in the heartland region of the sport.

This partnership is an important step in strengthening the overall development of women’s rugby league by increasing player opportunities outside of the traditional rugby league strongholds. 

With London Broncos Ladies acting as a key development hub, this partnership offers female players from the south-east the chance to progress into the high-level rugby league system, while also helping to boost the profile of the game in London and the wider area.

Due to competition restructuring, London have moved from the Southern Conference to the Northern Championship to make themselves eligible for promotion to the Women's Super League.

The Broncos Ladies narrowly missed out on promotion in 2024, with a defeat to Leigh Leopards 22-18 at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

Rochdale Hornets general manager Matt Rigby said: “We are incredibly excited about this partnership with London Broncos Ladies.

“At first glance, the distance between Rochdale and London might seem like an unusual factor to consider in a partnership, but from a strategic standpoint, it makes perfect sense. 

“My personal experience with the Netherlands and working closely with national team players at the Broncos has shown me the value of connecting regions and creating pathways for talent, regardless of geographic barriers. 

“This partnership offers a unique opportunity to develop top-tier players from the south while also strengthening our squad up north. 

“It's all about broadening the talent pool and fostering the growth of women’s rugby league in the UK. Sometimes, thinking beyond the conventional can lead to incredible opportunities and long-term success. 

“It aligns perfectly with our goal of developing the next generation of female rugby players. By offering London-based players the opportunity to showcase their skills with us in the north, we are not only helping players further their careers but also contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of women’s rugby league in the UK. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the players and for both of our clubs. We are honoured to make our town London's home from home, with direct access to our training facilities and partners. 

“I know our supporters will make all members of the Broncos welcome in Rochdale.

London Broncos Ladies head coach Colin Baker said: “We are really excited to announce this strategic partnership with Rochdale Hornets as we enter a new, national phase of the Broncos Ladies journey. 

“Both sides share clear visions for the advancement of women's rugby league, and we're looking forward to working together this season.”

Rochdale Hornets Women head coach Ben Bird said: “The work that's gone in by Matt Rigby and the club behind the scenes to set the stage for what should be a really positive season for the Hornets Women has been amazing. 

“This agreement with London is evidence of how far we've progressed in such a short space of time. 

“Having the support of such an established organisation with a successful women's setup also shows our commitment to providing the ladies with a pathway and opportunities to progress in the game.”