RYDE EASTWOOD IN TEAM WITH TIGERS

	Pictured to the side is the 2003 premiers of the "Ryde Eastwood Hawks Twilight Cup" North Ryde Primary School. They are pictured with the President of Ryde Eastwood Mr Jack King, WestsTigers Primary School Development Officer - Yvette Downey, Balmain Tigers Development Manager - David Kelly & Current player and local legend Jason Chapman. Balmain & Ryde Eastwood have combined forces and have helped out with all the schools competitions this year.

The Balmain and Ryde-Eastwood Rugby Leagues have announced that they will form a shared resources venture which will see two clubs that have had links over many years formalise the relationship.

The Ryde-Eastwood Club will provide sponsorship support for the Balmain Club and play as the Ryde-Eastwood Hawks in the NSWRL Sponsors Cup.

Where possible the Hawks will play on the same day and venue as Balmain and the Wests Tigers.

Already they are scheduled to play Newtown preceding the West Tigers trial against Souths at the Central Coast on 1 March, 2003.

The Hawks will use Leichhardt Oval for training and senior coaching staff including Tim Sheens will work with them to ensure they can take advantage of the facilities and experience that West Tigers have available.

In a joint statement Ryde Eastwood Secretary Keith Aggett and Balmain Chairman David Trodden said:-

"We see this as good news for our fans and our players. In the case of the Hawks we will be able to attract more quality players because we can show them a clear path from Ryde-Eastwood to Balmain and hopefully into the NRL with the Wests Tigers. There is no question that being able to take advantage of Tim Sheens and his team will make the Hawks even more professional and competitive. Obviously Balmain will gain because they can access players who already understand the culture of the club and what the coaches expect."