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FEATURE STORY
More On New Super League Team
As reported last week on WeAreRugby, the Super League has accepted a submission from the Utah Warriors to become a new RSL team in 2011.
The Warriors will be starting from scratch as a brand spanking new team and we thought it would be of interest to do a follow-up piece on just what they're all about, who’s behind them and what their goals are.
In line with that, we've done a brief Q&A with their manager of operations Sean Whalen, a Salt Lake City businessman.
W-A-R: As the Warriors are brand new, who will finance them in their inaugural season?
Whalen: We've lined up a tremendous group of sponsors for this season, finding significant investment interest from multiple parties.
W-A-R: What are the club's realistic goals for its first season?
Whalen: We plan to immediately take this team to the highest level, and we will make sure our team is prepared and ready to challenge our opponents with the goal to win the Super League Championship in 2011.
W-A-R: Where are the players being recruited from?
Whalen: Key players have been recruited to the team such as [former US national team players] Mike Palefau and Jason Pye. Most players, however, will be recruited from within Utah.
In the past, national team players based in Utah had no choice but to go elsewhere to play top-level club rugby. This new team will give accessibility to top rugby for the many talented players in Utah at all levels.
W-A-R: Why do you want to go straight into RSL rather than Division I?
Whalen: We feel like competition in the RSL is at the highest levels. We wanted to be a part of this top-notch league, and now is a great time to get involved.
The Utah Warriors will play their home games at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City.
For more information on USA Rugby Super League visit www.premier-rugby.com
The Warriors will be starting from scratch as a brand spanking new team and we thought it would be of interest to do a follow-up piece on just what they're all about, who’s behind them and what their goals are.
In line with that, we've done a brief Q&A with their manager of operations Sean Whalen, a Salt Lake City businessman.
W-A-R: As the Warriors are brand new, who will finance them in their inaugural season?
Whalen: We've lined up a tremendous group of sponsors for this season, finding significant investment interest from multiple parties.
W-A-R: What are the club's realistic goals for its first season?
Whalen: We plan to immediately take this team to the highest level, and we will make sure our team is prepared and ready to challenge our opponents with the goal to win the Super League Championship in 2011.
W-A-R: Where are the players being recruited from?
Whalen: Key players have been recruited to the team such as [former US national team players] Mike Palefau and Jason Pye. Most players, however, will be recruited from within Utah.
In the past, national team players based in Utah had no choice but to go elsewhere to play top-level club rugby. This new team will give accessibility to top rugby for the many talented players in Utah at all levels.
W-A-R: Why do you want to go straight into RSL rather than Division I?
Whalen: We feel like competition in the RSL is at the highest levels. We wanted to be a part of this top-notch league, and now is a great time to get involved.
The Utah Warriors will play their home games at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City.
For more information on USA Rugby Super League visit www.premier-rugby.com
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