Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of the Warriors takes a selfie with fans. Photo: Matt Roberts / PHOTOSPORT
The Warriors are to set up an academy and community programme in the Queensland city of Logan.
The academy will offer an elite training and talent identification programme as well as a community initiative to help young people connect with sport and career opportunities outside football.
Warriors CEO Cameron George was a part of the joint announcement with Logan City mayor Jon Raven.
"This is a huge development for us as a club, a great opportunity to spread our presence into South East Queensland which is a real hotbed for rugby league talent," said George,
"Our elite academy for boys and girls in Logan will provide a direct pathway to the New Zealand Warriors' NRL and NRLW teams.
"We have a network of academies throughout New Zealand doing a terrific job and see a real opportunity with this partnership to connect with New Zealanders in Australia."
"Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland, Logan City mayor Jon Raven said.
Logan City Council will provide the Warriors with access to facilities such as fields and office space.
The programme will work directly with local rugby league clubs, supporting local coaches and players with a direct connection to an NRL team, and building the game in Logan.
Logan City Council will host a community day when the One New Zealand Warriors have their captain's run at Logan Metro Sports Park in Browns Plains on Friday, August 22, ahead of their round 25 NRL match against the Gold Titans in Robina the following day.
Logan City is 30km south of Brisbane.
