Quote SmokeyTA="SmokeyTA"What would be the point? why would Wigan want the hassle and costs associated with running another club?
Why not just build a relationship with 2 or 3 lower league teams, send youth players out there on loan and link up with coaches and other non-playing staff.'"
That of course would be the easier option and part of what I mean by the affiliations.
Quote SmokeyTA="Chris Dalton"Like the current dual reg system?
Let's put it this way. Not one person here, no one, would honestly be happy for their own club to be a feeder club. Especially when the natural club to become a feeder team to would be your closest team (and therefore almost certainly fiercest rivals). People happy to introduce feeder teams are never supporters from clubs likely to become one under the system.'"
But if it's going to help the club in the long term then why not? Let's say Wigan give Leigh Sam Powell, Logan Tomkins and Dom Crosby on loans. Those players could help Leigh win the league and maybe secure promotion in the future
Quote SmokeyTA="Starbug"Explain ' Affiliation ' ?'"
Basically the teams work together in a partnership to help each other succeed. This could range from on-field things like players to marketing.
Let's say Wigan loan Leigh two fantastic players and a up and coming coach who help them to win the league. Wigan's staff and players get experience while Leigh get some players and staff with good potential and qualities.
You could substitute it with anything - off field roles, facility sharing, joint training days for experience, staff exchange. It would all depend on the clubs that take part and what they want to achieve from it.
I'd happily see Wigan be affiliated with Melbourne if it brought good things to each club