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The New South Wales Rugby League is pleased to announce the Cronulla Sharks will field a team in the NSW Cup competition in 2010.

The state’s premier open age competition will now comprise 12 teams and will run over a 26 week schedule mirroring the NRL competition.

NSW Rugby League General Manager Geoff Carr says the addition of the Sharks is important for the future development of Rugby League in NSW.

“The NSWRL has been working closely with the Cronulla club to ensure they will be represented in next year’s NSW Cup,” Mr. Carr said.

“This result is a step in the right direction for both the NSWRL and the Cronulla club.

“The League received a strong message from NRL clubs asking for us to provide a competition which would allow their players to have 25 weeks of competitive football.

“The inclusion of the Sharks and the new Central Coast Crusaders will allow us to do just that.

The NSW Cup will run over 26 weeks and will begin on the 13th of March with three double headers across the Sydney metropolitan area.

For the first time in NSWRL history a three pool system will be used for rounds one through three pitting traditional clubs Newtown, Western Suburbs, North Sydney and Balmain against each other.

Now that the participating teams are finalised the NSWRL is in a position to finalise the draw for 2010. The completed draw for 2010 will be released early next week.

Pools for rounds one through three are as follows:

Pool One (Foundation Pool)

• Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers
• Newtown Jets
• North Sydney Bears
• Western Suburbs Magpies

Pool Two

• Central Coast Crusaders

• Melbourne Storm
• Wentworthville Magpies
• Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Pool Three

• Shellharbour Dragons
• Windsor Wolves
• Auckland Vulcans
• Cronulla Sharks