London Broncos prepare to take the rugby super league by storm
Wimbledon-based London Broncos prepare to take the Rugby Super League by storm
By Ellie Holmes
Did you know you have a Super League Rugby Club on your doorstep? Based at Plough Lane, the London Broncos are the premier Rugby League club in the south of England and are facing the best teams in the country this season.
The London Broncos were promoted last season after a stunning performance in the play-offs and are now back in the super league.
Jake Watson, media manager from London Broncos tells us about their recent success: “London Broncos are the only professional rugby league team in the south of England. Our players were part time and now they’re back in the super league, in the top division, the players are playing full time rugby. This is a very important and exciting time for us all.
“The promotion was spectacular… It’s been a challenging time for the club with Covid, and it’s not easy being a rugby league in the south.
“We were not the favourites in any of the games in the play offs, and it was tough. In fact at the start of the last season the odds for us to be promoted were 100- 1.”
In their last match they recovered from a poor opening half to beat Toulouse Olympique 18-14 away from home.
The winning squad was a largely southern group of players and many of them had come through the club’s academy, and there were also several players from the southern hemisphere who contributed to the success of the team.
Rugby league has always been played by Northern teams in the UK and is very much associated with the North West where it’s hugely popular in St Helen’s, Leeds and Wigan.
But the Broncos are now relishing the opportunity to bring the joy of rugby league to the south.
Mark Kemp, their head of commercial, explains what people can hope to get out of a day at Plough Lane watching the Broncos.
“This is our third year at Plough Lane and obviously we share the ground with the AFC Wimbledon and our relationship is getting better and better.
“We knew we needed a stadium that we could work on and build for a future and we want to make a day watching the Broncos a fantastic family experience.
“There is a fanzone, and it’s a warm friendly atmosphere, there are lots of food stalls and of course unlike the football matches, you can buy a drink and actually drink it as you watch the game!”
The club has been working closely with the Merton School Sports Partnership, and during the season they will be using school pupils as mascots throughout some of the games.
All of the super league – which includes 167 games, will be shown on Sky platforms, and tickets are £20 a head, with under 16s accompanied going free.
“The season kicks off at the end of February, and we hope that many Londoners will get behind the Broncos and give them their support, and of course discover a love of rugby league.”
The team have recently announced the signing of Rugby League star Lee Kershaw.
The 24- year old winger signs the deal after a trial at the club which has seen him in all three pre-season friendlies, scoring three tries.
Lee has previous Super League experience after coming through Wakefield Trinity, but following their relegation last season there has been speculation about his future plans since then.
London Broncos Director of Rugby and Performance Mike Eccles was delighted to get the deal completed.
“I’m really happy it’s all worked out from both ends and that a deal has been agreed to keep Lee with us for the forthcoming season….his performances in the trial games have been outstanding.”
