Big friendly Giants!

HAVING been in partnership with Salford Red Devils for the past two seasons, Oldham RLFC have changed direction to join forces instead with leading Super League club Huddersfield Giants.

With opportunities still in place for the dual-registration of players from partner clubs, Roughyeds have seized the chance to work with the Giants, who have been one of the top clubs in the sport’s elite division in recent seasons.

A chance to work in tandem with the Giants, who topped Super League in 2013 and finished third last season, was considered too good to refuse.

Both clubs believe the partnership will be of mutual benefit, especially in terms of dual registration.

A key element of the new link-up is the friendship of Giants head coach Paul Anderson and his Oldham counterpart Scott Naylor, who played for several seasons together in the all-conquering Bradford Bulls side between 1997 and 2004.

The Giants boss is also known to Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton, who once managed an England team in which Anderson played.

Hamilton (pictured, right) said: “Paul is one of the new breed of coaches being given a chance in Super League and he has already shown his qualities by winning the League Leaders Trophy in 2013.

“He and Scott are good friends and another plus for us is that Huddersfield have an excellent record in terms of bringing players through their ranks and into the first team.

“From the outset, our discussions with Giants have been very positive.

“They know how close we have been to getting out of Championship One, or League One as it will be known in 2015, and they want to help us to achieve that goal.

“They are also aware, thanks to the connection of Scott (Naylor) and Paul (Anderson) and also to feedback from Nathan Mason, their young prop who was on loan with us over the last two seasons, that we have a very good set-up at the Oldham club.

“They have mentioned certain players who will be available to us and that sealed a decision we felt we had to make. We are very much looking forward to working with them.”

Giants have several Oldham-born and Oldham-based players on their books, including 21-year-old Mason, who played in 16 of the Roughyeds’ 25 games in all competitions last season.

Said Giants managing director Richard Thewlis: "We are sure this will be a mutually beneficial working relationship.

“The Oldham club has good coaches and a very professional set-up and that will enable our young players to go there and make progress as they strive to become fully-fledged Super League players.

“We have a good relationship with Oldham already and we are determined to make this work well for both clubs, happy in the knowledge that our players will be looked after by Oldham in the right environment.

“We are well aware of the Grand Final disappointments Oldham have suffered in recent seasons and we hope this partnership will help Roughyeds to achieve their aim of returning to the Championship.”