Yorkshire’s Rugby League Clubs Join Forces with Penrith Panthers in a Game Changing Partnership

Waves are being made as York RLFC have partnered with Australian team, the Penrith Panthers, to take rugby league to the next level. This three year partnership will bring exciting changes for fans and opportunities for young players, international talent and commercial growth.

Why York RLFC and Penrith Panthers are a winning Combination

This isn’t just about adding another trophy to the cabinet; it’s about using each club’s strengths to grow the game and its impact. The Penrith Panthers, who have had major success in the NRL Premiership, bring experience, resources and know how in building youth programs and developing local talent.

York RLFC, who have the men’s team, the York Knights and the back to back Women’s Super League champions, the York Valkyrie, bring the drive to grow rugby league in Yorkshire.

Both clubs want to grow the game for young people and give future players more opportunities to develop.

How the partnership will benefit rugby’s future

Both clubs are not just looking at local impact but setting a blueprint for rugby’s future internationally. According to Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron, this partnership is about sharing knowledge, strategies and resources, in areas such as:

• Youth development: Introducing the next generation to rugby and providing resources to develop their skills.
• Commercial growth: Finding new ways to make the game profitable and sustainable.
• Women’s rugby: Using York Valkyrie’s success to grow the women’s game in Penrith.

Matt Cameron says this partnership is an opportunity to

“strengthen our commitment to rugby league at all levels”.

He’s looking forward to learning from York Valkyrie’s success and taking notes from their playbook on women’s rugby.

York RLFC chairman on Penrith’s impact on rugby development

York RLFC Chairman, Clint Goodchild has a lot of time for the Penrith Panthers. Over two years of building a relationship with the club, Clint got to see behind the scenes of what makes the Panthers one of the biggest names in rugby. He’s quick to point out this isn’t just about the professional game; it’s about community and youth development.

Goodchild says

“No club in the world has developed the sport more at youth and community level than Penrith. To have a blueprint on how that was achieved is exciting as we launch our Academy in the near future”.

With York launching their own Academy soon this partnership couldn’t have come at a better time.

What does this mean for fans

For fans in Yorkshire this means new events, talent showcases and potentially player exchanges between York and Penrith. It’s also a sign that Yorkshire’s rugby is becoming more global. With the Super League restructure in 2025 this partnership puts both clubs at the forefront of the next big leap in rugby.

If you’re interested in how Yorkshire is making an impact in sports and beyond, check out other events and sports initiatives happening around the county at Yorkshire.com​.

This three-year partnership is more than a handshake; it's an ambitious commitment to the sport’s future. From youth leagues to women’s rugby, York and Penrith are set on creating an inclusive, strong, and vibrant rugby league scene across the continents.