The North Queensland Cowboys have officially launched a wide-ranging partnership with English Super League club Hull KR, capping off six months of behind-the-scenes planning between the two like-minded organisations.
The partnership is designed to strengthen both clubs off the field as well as on it, with three cross-club working groups, covering senior football, academy development, and commercial operations, set to meet monthly.
The respective CEOs will also come together every two months to assess progress.
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A long-term vision, not a talent grab
Importantly, both sides have stressed that this is not about player movement but shared learning.
“This is not about signing or stealing each other’s talent, it’s a meaningful partnership for genuine mutual benefit, including potential job swaps, and opportunities for our academy to tour Queensland,” Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin said.
“We were attracted to the Cowboys because of the similar straightforward approach to things, and their strong community values, which are also important to us.”
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Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel echoed those sentiments, emphasising cultural alignment and growth.
“Hull KR are a club whose values and ambitions closely mirror our own,” Reibel said.
“This partnership opens development opportunities for our staff and organisation as a whole... It aligns with our focus on evolving our operations and learning from like-minded organisations to ensure we remain progressive and competitive.”
The partnership will also see the two clubs link up in Las Vegas in early 2026, as both travel to the entertainment capital for a landmark NRL–Super League double-header.
The Cowboys face Newcastle Knights, while Hull KR take on Leeds Rhinos in the Battle of Yorkshire. An opposed training session between the two will form part of the build-up.