Les Catalans Info
Posté : 20 juil. 2005, 13:54
Les Catalans have confirmed the acquisition of three key personnel as the club continues to build towards entry into engage Super League in 2006.
The current Newcastle Knights centre Mark Hughes has been signed on a two-year contract and will become a key member of the club’s inaugural playing squad.
Hughes has won two Australian Rugby League Premierships with the Knights (1997 and 2001) and was also a member of the team which competed in the 2002 World Club Challenge. He also appeared three times for New South Wales in the 2001 State of Origin Series.
Off the field, Les Catalans can confirm that Canberra Raiders and former Australian Super League international and Leeds Rhinos forward Matt Adamson has been recruited as strength and conditioning coach. Adamson - who will retire from a highly successful playing career at the end of the current Australian NRL season - spent three years with the Leeds club.
Commenting on the news he said: “To be part of this unique franchise is one of the most exiting challenges of my career. The development of Rugby League in a country where passion is a feature and a culture will only lead to one thing, that of success.
“As my 16-year playing career comes to a close, I have learnt many a thing from my day-to-day experiences, with this comes an enthusiasm for our great game, and the people that challenge themselves week in week out.
“Rugby League is all about enjoyment. Our players will enjoy a work ethic of this nature but incorporate the words, honesty, skill, passion, belief and tradition, and the people of France will see their Rugby League team become a force once again.”
Meanwhile, Les Catalans are also delighted to confirm that Grant Mayer will be the club’s inaugural chief executive.
Mayer is currently operations manager with reigning NRL Premiers Canterbury Bulldogs and has tremendous experience in the area of sports administration together with commercial and marketing activity. He also enjoys a strong reputation in influential Australian sporting circles.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “It is an honour to be appointed chief executive officer of Les Catalans as the team enters the 2006 engage Super League competition.
“It is a very special honour to be involved with a start-up operation and I am confident that my experiences with current Australian National Rugby League Premiers the Canterbury Bulldogs will assist the club with its move into one of the world strongest sporting competitions.
“I am looking forward to working with club chairman Bernard Guasch along with a very motivated and experienced football operations team headed by Steve Deakin and David Waite. The winning culture already present in the club is a true testament to those involved with the success of Les Catalans.
“I am very impressed with the player and staff recruitment and feel confident the club will capture the attention of the rugby league fraternity. The challenge we face is exciting and I am sure that with the support of the key stakeholders, Les Catalans will become successful in the engage Super League.”
The current Newcastle Knights centre Mark Hughes has been signed on a two-year contract and will become a key member of the club’s inaugural playing squad.
Hughes has won two Australian Rugby League Premierships with the Knights (1997 and 2001) and was also a member of the team which competed in the 2002 World Club Challenge. He also appeared three times for New South Wales in the 2001 State of Origin Series.
Off the field, Les Catalans can confirm that Canberra Raiders and former Australian Super League international and Leeds Rhinos forward Matt Adamson has been recruited as strength and conditioning coach. Adamson - who will retire from a highly successful playing career at the end of the current Australian NRL season - spent three years with the Leeds club.
Commenting on the news he said: “To be part of this unique franchise is one of the most exiting challenges of my career. The development of Rugby League in a country where passion is a feature and a culture will only lead to one thing, that of success.
“As my 16-year playing career comes to a close, I have learnt many a thing from my day-to-day experiences, with this comes an enthusiasm for our great game, and the people that challenge themselves week in week out.
“Rugby League is all about enjoyment. Our players will enjoy a work ethic of this nature but incorporate the words, honesty, skill, passion, belief and tradition, and the people of France will see their Rugby League team become a force once again.”
Meanwhile, Les Catalans are also delighted to confirm that Grant Mayer will be the club’s inaugural chief executive.
Mayer is currently operations manager with reigning NRL Premiers Canterbury Bulldogs and has tremendous experience in the area of sports administration together with commercial and marketing activity. He also enjoys a strong reputation in influential Australian sporting circles.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “It is an honour to be appointed chief executive officer of Les Catalans as the team enters the 2006 engage Super League competition.
“It is a very special honour to be involved with a start-up operation and I am confident that my experiences with current Australian National Rugby League Premiers the Canterbury Bulldogs will assist the club with its move into one of the world strongest sporting competitions.
“I am looking forward to working with club chairman Bernard Guasch along with a very motivated and experienced football operations team headed by Steve Deakin and David Waite. The winning culture already present in the club is a true testament to those involved with the success of Les Catalans.
“I am very impressed with the player and staff recruitment and feel confident the club will capture the attention of the rugby league fraternity. The challenge we face is exciting and I am sure that with the support of the key stakeholders, Les Catalans will become successful in the engage Super League.”