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A New Era: Quins & Broncos form exciting new partnership

NEC Harlequins and the London Broncos are both delighted to announce that they are to form an exciting new partnership.

From 2006, the top-flight team representing London in the engage Super League and Powergen Challenge Cup, will be called Harlequins Rugby League club.

Furthermore, the team will play all of their home games at the Twickenham Stoop.

The Harlequins RL logo will become the famous jester and their kit will comprise the world renowned four-quartered shirt. Both codes will share several key resources and work closely together marketing the Harlequins brand and developing the matchday experience.

Ultimately, both clubs go into this partnership with the intent that they will be one club playing both codes of rugby.

The Harlequins RL office staff will be based full-time in their own offices in the new Lexus stand at the Stoop, while the football staff will be based at NEC Harlequins new training ground in Roehampton Vale. All rugby sides will share best practice and resources whenever appropriate, giving both operations a better chance of success.

?The key, long-term priority for London Broncos has always been to find a place called ?home?,? said Nic Cartwright, London Broncos Chief Executive.

?The very future of the club, and the professional game in London, depended on this. And now we have found a true home."

"In short, this partnership provides our club and rugby league in London with a stable and progressive environment for success and growth.?

?Everyone at NEC Harlequins is very excited by this partnership and determined that this venture will be a successful one,? said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive.

?Although we?re steeped in tradition, Quins is also a club with some very progressive and dynamic ideas. This partnership is another proactive step in the evolution of the Harlequin brand and club.?

?Each club?s owners, Board of Directors and staff have one common goal; to make Harlequins the number one rugby club in the country. Both clubs believe that through this partnership, this goal is achievable.?

The partnership will combine NEC Harlequins rich history and proud tradition, with London Broncos? unique blend of resilience and passion acquired through a 25-year fight for rugby league in the capital.

As sporting organisations, NEC Harlequins and London Broncos share a common vision and boast very similar core values.

At the heart of what the two codes does together will be a strong community focus, with ambitious goals for the future of top flight rugby in London.

The partnership is based on an initial five year period, but it is expected that at the end of this the two clubs will solidify the relationship further.

The name change to Harlequins Rugby League club will begin in earnest at the end of the current Super League season, when the Broncos name and crest will be retired.

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Thanks to London Broncos Website for this great article. To read more from London under the headings: - Chairmen unite - Why the move? - Greener pastures - A rich history - Quins story - Broncos tale - How it works - Benefits explained - Key questions - In summary head to http://www.londonbroncos.co.uk/site/news/2005/July/quinsrlindex.html.