DANNY Ward believes London Broncos being back in the Betfred Super League would give a much-needed boost to the sport’s national profile.
The Hull KR assistant spent four seasons with the capital club as a player under their Harlequins RL guise and served as Broncos head coach from 2018-2021, and saw first-hand the increase in attention from their presence in the top flight.
The arrival of Leeds Rhinos executive Gary Hetherington and reports of Australian interest in taking a stake in both the Broncos and the elite level of the British game have led to speculation about whether the Londoners could soon return to Super League, and while Ward would not support them being parachuted back into the competition he still sees their presence as vital.
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“It’s got to be successful and it has to be done right,” Ward told The Bench podcast. “I don’t think they should be gifted a place in Super League, they have to earn it as we’ve always said.
“But I just think that kind of media attention – it’s a national sport…It’s not really seen as a national sport at the minute because we’re all up here in the North.
“There are some strong clubs with a lot of tradition here and I’m not knocking that and there’s a place for all that.
“But we’ve got to expand, not just in London but around the country. I’ve love to see a Midlands club and a Newcastle club.”
The Broncos were founder members of Super League in 1996, but despite finishing second in 1997 and reaching a maiden Challenge Cup final two years later, they struggled for consistent success and were eventually relegated to the Championship in 2014.
Returns to Super League for the 2019 and 2024 seasons ended in immediate relegation back to the second tier, and Mike Eccles’ side are currently 12th in the 13-team competition with just two wins from 12 games so far.
Dewsbury native Ward remains as passionate about London rugby league as ever, though, and the 45-year-old is in no doubt there is plenty to be positive about when it comes to rugby league in the capital.
“London is still something I’m passionate about as a coach and a rugby fan,” Ward said.
“I spent a long time down there and when I was head coach I was passionate about how the game needs a strong London.
“The junior set-up and the kids playing the game down there, there’s so many reasons why the game needs it.
“Mike is doing a great job with London and they’ve got Gary in there now, so it’ll be interesting to see where it goes.”