New dawn for Midlands Rugby League club after securing long-term future at Sandwell Rugby ground
The region's only professional Rugby League club has made a move to secure its future after relocating to a brand new home within Sandwell.
Midlands Hurricanes have made the move from Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr to Avery Fields in Bearwood ahead of the new Championship season, after securing a 20-year lease alongside Bournville RFC.
The club said the move represents a positive step forward for the club, with Avery Fields offering a true rugby environment, a stronger sense of identity, a better atmosphere and a place the Hurricanes can genuinely call home for many years to come.
The Hurricanes had called Alexander Stadium home for the last three years and offered thanks to the team at the stadium for the support and partnership during their time there, but said the move to Avery Fields was about securing the longer-term future of the club.
This includes continuing to build the relationship with Bournville RFC, creating a more engaging matchday experience for spectators and also strengthening the club off the pitch, with lower operating costs and better control of the venue allowing the club to reinvest more into key areas including the playing squad, community programmes, fan growth and commercial development.
Midlands Hurricanes have become a competitive team over the last four years, with head coaches Mark Dunning and Leigh Beattie able to bring in quality players such as Matty Chrimes, Todd Horner and Mikey Wood, and the club has beaten established heartland teams such as Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury Rams and Swinton Lions.
Now, with the Championship and League One merging into one competition, the move to Avery Fields is one which the club said will secure the future of the Hurricanes, establish it within a rugby community and help to build the sport properly across the Midlands.
Mike Lomas, Chairman of Midlands Hurricanes, said: "The move to Avery Fields is a development which cements Rugby League in the Midlands for another 20 years.
"This partnership brings together a Rugby League club and a Rugby Union club in the heart of the country who share the same belief in getting more young people playing “Rugby”. This is a truly exciting development.
"I want to thank Alistair, Phil and Siggers at Bournville for their support and enthusiasm in making this landmark move happen.
"I’d also like to thank Birmingham City Council and the Alexander Stadium team for their support over the last three years."
Eorl Crabtree, Managing Director of Midlands Hurricanes, said: “This move is an important and positive milestone for the club.
"Securing a 20-year lease at Avery Fields gives us a real rugby home that we can shape, develop and grow in for the future.
"It makes us more sustainable, it improves the matchday experience for our supporters and it puts us right in the heart of a thriving rugby community.
Most importantly, it helps us grow rugby league in the Midlands and truly connect with the people and communities we represent.
"This is not a backwards step. It is a smart and ambitious move that helps us build a competitive, resilient and proudly Midlands rugby league club.”
Phil Maynard, Managing Director of Avery Fields, home of Bournville RFC, said: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Midlands Hurricanes to Avery Fields at the start of what we hope will be a long and successful association.
"We hosted the Hurricanes’ Community Day last year and we have since had productive discussions with Mike Lomas and Eorl Crabtree about making Avery Fields their new home in the city.
"The Rugby Football League have also been very supportive of this initiative and we thank them for their help. It’s an exciting project that can only be mutually beneficial for both clubs and which will provide year-round rugby at Avery Fields.
"We look forward to welcoming the Hurricanes, their players, staff and supporters to their new home for their opening Betfred Championship match against Newcastle Thunder on January 18 with home matches against some famous rugby league clubs including Oldham, Workington, Batley, Swinton and Rochdale Hornets to follow.
"In the longer term we will work closely with the Hurricanes to help them develop their brand, increase their profile in Birmingham and hopefully to achieve their ambition of becoming a Super League club."
The Hurricanes will be in action in the Championship at Avery Fields on Sunday, January 18 against Newcastle Thunder, with kick off at 2pm and tickets available at the Midlands Hurricanes website.
