The Warriors’ new owners say keeping the country’s best players in New Zealand will be a priority.
The NRL club went full circle on Wednesday when announcing it had been bought by an arm of original owners, the Auckland Rugby League.
Eric Watson ended 17 years of ownership by selling to the Carlaw Heritage Trust and a financial backer, Autex Industries Limited.
The announcement follows months of speculation, with Watson having previously spurned the advances of the ARL and gone close to accepting an offer from a United States consortium.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George, who is also chairman of CHT, said it will initially be business as usual for the club, who have turned around the sub-par form of recent seasons by winning six of their first eight games in 2018.
However, he wants fundamental change to its ability to retain the best Kiwi talent, which isn’t presently the case.
“It is no secret that New Zealand loses up to 800 talented young players every year to Australia and the UK – 500 from Auckland alone,” he said.
“In purchasing the Vodafone Warriors, we have a vision. It starts with a child playing league at the age of six and following a clear path to a professional future without having to leave behind family and friends.
“Our association with Auckland Rugby League … will bring a clearly defined and integrated pathway to professionalism for local players.
“At the moment, New Zealand is a free-for-all for every professional team in the world.”
Media speculation suggested the confidential sale price was $18 million, which would represent a loss for Watson.
However, the English-based businessman said it was in the club’s best interests to be an all-Kiwi entity.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the club formally become part of rugby league’s local governing body and administrator,” Watson said of CHT, an arm of the ARL.
The ARL has been the governing body and administrator of rugby league across the Auckland region since 1909.
It was owner of the Warriors for their first three seasons, having joined what was then the Winfield Cup in 1995.
CHT is a registered charity established in 2009 with the profit from the sale of Auckland’s former league headquarters, Carlaw Park.
Income generated from CHT’s assets benefit the ARL, although George stressed the bodies are independent.
CHT will have a 67 per cent shareholding of the Warriors with the remainder held by Autex Industries.
A new-look board will be appointed, with George the only constant.
The other directors are stepping down, including executive chairman Jim Doyle.
