Vikings team up with USA Tomahawks (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Vikings team up with USA Tomahawks

10:45am Friday 15th March 2013 in Sport

WIDNES Vikings have joined forces with the Halton bound USA national rugby league team ahead of this year's Rugby League World Cup by featuring an exclusive column which will be published in the club's new programme 'Black And White' for every home game.

The association, which is believed to be a first in Super League between an English club and a RLWC 2013 competitor, began back in 2012 when the American side visited the borough as part of the RLWC 2013 launch.

The relationship has blossomed and David Niu, president of the American National Rugby League, as well as American colleague Brian Lowe, have been working with the club and its editor Ian Cheveau on formulating the new concept which will see Vikings fans be updated with the very latest news from the Tomahawks camp ahead of their trip to Widnes and Runcorn.

James Rule, Vikings CEO, said: "The RLWC 2013 is a massive event in the sporting calendar and one that everyone at Widnes Vikings and our fans are looking forward to. As a borough and a club we are excited to be hosting the Tomahawks for their RLWC 2013 adventure and they will be using the clubs facilities, including our pioneering i-pitch which will allow them to train in any conditions.

"They will be visiting our schools and communities and I think the news we can give stakeholders through the channel of our club programme 'Black And White' about their visit will whet the appetite about the feast of rugby league that will be happening in October and November.

David Niu added: “As the pioneers of the sport of rugby league in the USA, we could not have asked for a better location for our team to be based than with a club that was a founding member in the development of the sport in England.

“We are well aware that Widnes has produced many wonderful championship teams and players. They must have enjoyed tremendous support and encouragement from the local community and fans. We hope that our Tomahawks might generate that same passion."