Barrow Raiders have agreed a dual registration partnership with Wigan Warriors for the 2024 season.
The Warriors mutually ended their agreement with Wakefield Trinity earlier this month, which allows the club to agree a new partnership.
The link with the Championship club will offer some of Wigan’s transition players the opportunity to gain valuable and regular first team experience and play competitive rugby league to help with their development.
The arrangement between the two clubs will see Wigan players contionue to be registered to the Warriors and also registered to play for Barrow.
When a Wigan player goes on dual registration to Barrow that player will be eligible to play and train with both clubs.
The player is restricted to play in one fixture per scheduled round of fixtures in any given week and would not ne eligible to play twice for Barrow and Wigan during the same weekend.
Wigan’s transition coach John Diffy said: “We are really looking forward to working with Paul Crarey and his staff and we are grateful to Andy Gaffney at Barrow for his work on the agreement.
“Barrow are an extremely well-run and trusted club and Paul and his staff always show great care for our players.
“We look forward to seeing how some of our transition players progress and develop from this agreement.”
A Barrow spokesman said: “Our head coach Paul Crarey has maintained a great relationship with Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet and reserves coach John Duffy.
“Wigan have provided tremendous support during times of injury, entrusting our club and coaching staff with some of their most promising young players.
“Feedback from the Wigan players indicates they’ve thoroughly enjoyed their time at Barrow, with both them and their families well cared for.”