WOLLONGONG Wolves expansion bid has been resuscitated – sort of – after partnering with the Canberra bid still in the race for an A-League license.
Canberra are one of six bids left in the expansion race, while Wollongong was was one of two shortlisted bids axed last month.
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The Wolves will now form part of Canberra’s bid, with an MOU committing to at least one A-League match a year in Wollongong, as well as the sharing of development and W League pathways.
The clubs will share resources, players, coaches and their elite pathways programs.
“Wolves have a rich history of playing national league football and they deserve to be there again,” Canberra bid leader Michael Caggiano told Fairfax Media.
“This partnership is a natural fit, Wollongong is its own city, with its own football identity. We want to work with them not replace them.
“Having Wolves join the A-League would create a derby for us, and really fulfil the game’s potential in southern NSW.”
Wollongong bid leader Luke Wilkshire said the partnership would help the club build a solid base ahead of the next round of expansion in the future.
“This agreement will help us build our juniors, our players, our club and our region,” Wilkshire said.
“They are going to help us in terms of developing facilities for our juniors, which is really lacking in our region. Canberra is a location we believe is beneficial to the league going forward.
“The city already has a W-League team and world-class facilities, and the people involved with the bid have the right intentions for the game."