THE new owners at Sixways have revealed their plans to bring back elite level rugby to Worcester, but not as we once knew it.
Atlas Worcester Warriors Rugby Club Limited have confirmed they have pulled out the application process to compete in the Championship next season, with director Jim O'Toole stating they "cannot agree to RFU conditions and commercial restrictions".
BREAKING: this is a lot to take in so I’ve got it all in there. But ultimately, Worcester Warriors no longer exists. Atlas have pulled out of RFU Champ application process.
— Marcello Cossali-Francis (@Mcossalifrancis) February 9, 2023
‘Sixways Rugby’ = Worcester 🤝 @StourbridgeRFC https://t.co/bhGstoo6mt
READ MORE | live updates on the Worcester Warriors' situation
READ MORE | fans react to news that Worcester Warriors are no more
READ MORE | Stourbridge still have to vote through decision to agree on Sixways move
As a result, they, Atlas, also led by former London Irish player James Sandford, have confirmed they will be rebranding Worcester Warriors into 'Sixways Rugby', which involves local rugby club Stourbridge RFC.
Next season, Stourbridge RFC will move to Sixways and, under the new name of 'Sixways Rugby', will compete in the National League 2 West.
This proposal is subject to a vote from members at the National League 2 West side, which will take place on Friday evening, February 10.
I have just spoken to Neil Mitchell, DoR at @StourbridgeRFC & he has confirmed the ‘Sixways Rugby’ proposal is pending a vote by members. Nat 2 side are currently bottom of the table and at risk of dropping out of the National Leagues. https://t.co/bhGstoo6mt
— Marcello Cossali-Francis (@Mcossalifrancis) February 9, 2023
Former Worcester Warriors players, both young and old, will be recruited to help take the team through the leagues.
"We will invest in their semi-professional first team and they will play at Sixways," said O'Toole.
"We will invest significantly to get them through the leagues. The plan will be to reach the Championship by 2026.
"We hope to be able to call upon former players to come in and help us move through the divisions. Some of the older guys who can still mix it in that league, as well as the players who were breaking through from the academy."
O'Toole also revealed the plans for the Sixways site, which will include a hotel, a conference and events facility and a medical centre.
O'Toole appreciated this would be news that would undoubtedly cause plenty of emotion.
"We know this will be an emotional crossroads for so many," he added.
"But this is the start of a new journey and we believe the time to begin a new era starts here.
"In the coming weeks we will be speaking to everybody and we will again explain the plans for the future. We hope to keep fans up to date at all times, we will be transparent.
"We will be producing a range of initiatives to bring back fans to Sixways but also to invite new supporters along with us on this journey."
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