THE region's brightest young rugby league stars are set to be offered state-of-the-art coaching and facilities thanks to a new partnership.
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The agreement between Farrer Agricultural High School, the Greater Northern Region of Country Rugby League (CRL) and the Canterbury Bulldogs will see the school used as a high-performance base for representative football.
Announced on Tuesday, it comes two months after the Bulldogs formally linked up with the region to create a pathway for promising junior stars.
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Bulldogs development and pathways manager Dave Hamilton said the new bond would offer players access to the best facilities in the region.
"The facilities here are first class and are exactly what's needed to create a high performance environment," Hamilton said.
"These kinds of environments are what CRL are working really hard to create across regional NSW.
"By creating these environments, we are giving these kids a chance to develop their skills and compete at the highest levels should they get there."
Already boasting a pre-existing talent agreement with the Newcastle Knights, Farrer's residential school deputy principal said there would be no conflict of interest between the two partnerships.
"Both the partnership with the Bulldogs and Knights will be completely separate," David Gale said.
"They are two completely different entities because the Bulldogs involvement is through the CRL program, which the school is hosting.
"Certainly if any of our students were to pursue opportunities with any NRL club we would most assuredly support them in that."
Hamilton said the Bulldogs would look to "build strong ties in the region" and did not rule out the club playing a regular season game in Tamworth.
"I'm not too sure of the details that would exactly entail, but there is always the possibility," he said.
"I know next year they will be playing a game in Port Macquarie.
"So with this link now in place there's every chance we will have a look at playing in Tamworth."
Activities within the program are expected to begin at the school in the coming weeks.