BY IAN WHITE
EVEN the most devoted London Rugby League enthusiast could be excused for having felt the build-up to the Wembley Ashes opener a surreal experience.
Not often does the sports attention fall on the nation’s capital in such anticipation. No better time then, for a London Broncos re-launch and to learn of the new vision of owners Darren Lockyer, Grant Wechsel and Garry Hetherington.
Launch venue was the impressively appointed Sea Containers building on London’s south bank. A distinctive edifice, its terrace providing panoramic views of the River Thames and square mile, a spectacular visual backdrop to proceedings.
- England’s Fran Goldthorp on a mission with North Queensland Cowboys
- Jamie Humphreys: My life in rugby league with South Sydney Rabbitohs star
- Subscribe to Rugbyleaguehub.com on YouTube
Inside banners in the club’s new red and blue colour scheme with “Broncos” emblazoned in distinctive white gothic script.
In the background, a crew from an Australian TV production company captured footage of proceedings. Groundwork perhaps for the touted Welcome to Wrexham-esque documentary.
Having grabbed focus the day prior, Wechsel, Lockyer and several Broncos players joining the Kangaroos squad ahead of the series opener and bestowing them with new club merchandise, this was the trio’s opportunity to set out their vision in detail.
As guests took their seats came a reminder, in case of any doubt, as to which city they were in. A short film featuring footage of capital landmarks, black cabs and the underground and set to pounding music provided an attention-grabbing introduction.
Hetherington, flanked by his co-owners and marquee player Reagan Campbell-Gillard opened, describing the acquisition as: “A major project, a fascinating one and a great challenge as well”.
Lockyer added: “We’ve got to think different to the northern clubs, we’ve got to think like the south”. Wechsel spoke of being a “rugby league man through and through” and self-deprecatingly of his time as a Paramatta junior.
There was confirmation of Reebok as new kit supplier and a preview of next seasons jersey, a modern deep blue affair with red trim and white lettering, a nod to the colours of the Union Jack and Australian National Flag. Adorning it the logo of Australian retailer Cash Converters, announced as new club sponsor.
Attendees included Rugby League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and, perhaps bravely, Lord Caine, chair of the RFL panel that days earlier adjudged Toulouse and York preferred clubs for Super League in 2026 at the Broncos’ expense.
No hard feelings on show however, Wechsel stated the club received: “Really positive feedback from the panel” and were “more determined than ever to make London a success”.
Advisor and former Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White, who led the club’s Australian namesake to record turnover and profit was also present, alongside business representatives from both hemispheres.
Comment also from the owners as to the importance of fostering closer ties to the south’s broader Rugby League community, a relationship not without recent peaks and troughs.
Attracting some of the often touted 80,000-plus Australians living in London also at the forefront of their minds, evidenced by the clubs link up with the Aussies in London community group at their NRL Grand Final screening.
Lockyer stated: “We’ve got to think outside the box a little bit, so we are connecting with more people in London”. That’s the thing that hasn’t been done well for a long time”.
Underscoring the significance of improved community relations was London Rugby League Foundation chairman Rick Jones, who provided insight on impressive junior participation growth since the foundation returned under the Broncos’ auspice.
Developing male and female player pathways cited as another key element of the owners’ strategy, as Hetherington boldly predicted: “Within three years London and the south of England can become the most fertile producer of players for the professional game for both men and women”.
A promise of more talent of the likes of Lewis Bienek, Ollie and Bill Leyland and Nicole Kennedy in years to come.
There is precedent. Brisbane Broncos boasted of taking London to the “highest possible level” on purchasing it in 1994.
Big sponsors, Castlemaine and Puma were brought in and funds ploughed into on-field additions, with little thought of building robust off-field structures.
Richard Branson’s tenure also brought significant funds and a measure of on-field success. But his interest waned upon realising the sport didn’t share his vision.
David Hughes invested immense personal wealth sustaining the club and kept rugby league in the capital alive in the absence of meaningful RFL assistance. But an indifferent attitude towards supporters saw spectator numbers dwindle.
The new ownership group have, for now, made the right noises and their commitment to bringing lasting success appears intrinsically motivated.
“Ambitious, but achievable,” was Hetherington’s optimistic summation of the project, before departing with Lockyer and Wechsel to attend the LRL Foundation community club awards in nearby Waterloo.