Catalans Dragons Chief Executive Christophe Jouffret officially announced this morning at a press conference that the club will launch next season a team in the Super League Academy u19.

Thierry Dumaine has been named as U19 Team Head Coach and Head of Performance.

“It’s a great news for the club and for the French Rugby League. We want to take a step forward in the Youth Development system and we’ll now offer to our young French players the best oppositions in the North Hemisphere and a professional environment.”

 “Thierry Dumaine is the best person to manage this project thanks to his experience with the French Federation and the France Academy teams.” said Christophe Jouffret.

“ It’s an exciting project and I’m delighted to be a part of it. It's a great recognition of all the work I’ve done with the France Academy over the last five years.”

“There is a lot of quality in France and we’ll be able from 2015 to gauge ourselves against the Academy teams of the Super League clubs.” Thierry Dumaine