A CANADIAN team have set their sights on securing a place in Super League after being formally admitted to the third-tier of the British professional game.

Toronto Wolfpack were launched in Leeds via a video link to the Canadian city, where former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain coach Brian Noble was confirmed as director of rugby working alongside ex-Leigh boss Paul Rowley as head coach.

The team will play in Kingstone Press League One from next March and take part in the 2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

They will be full-time and share Bradford's training facilities at Tong next season, with Rowley saying: "We'll be based in Bradford, which is the ideal location for us as we try and attract players from both sides of the Pennines."

The initiative came from Toronto-born businessman Eric Perez, who will become the club's chief executive, and is financed largely by wealthy Australian businessman David Arygle, a 55-year-old mining investor.

Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood said, via the video link from Toronto: "Rugby league has always had a pioneering philosophy throughout its history and this initiative offers further evidence of the sport's wide appeal and readiness to embrace innovation."

Also on the club's board will be rugby player-turned-actor Adam Fogerty. He made the initial approach to Noble, who remains the most successful coach in Super League following his spell with the Bulls from 2000-06.

Noble said: "I met Adam over a couple of breakfasts, went to see David Argyle in his apartment in London alongside Eric Perez and I thought I'd love to be a part of it.

"It's brand new – I've done a lot of things in the game but to be involved in this and to take something from nowhere is exciting. Old Trafford is our ambition, so it's hugely appealing.

"I'm very ambitious, as we all are. We really want to do it the right way and build it the right way. I'm an expansionist at heart and it's exciting for this sport."

Noble had no hesitation in recommending Rowley, who was already a big enthusiast of Canadian rugby league, when he became available after quitting his job at Leigh on the eve of the season in February.

Rowley said: "I've known Eric for five years and believed in Canadian rugby league. More importantly, I believe in Eric's dream for the sport.

"I see an enthusiastic population who adore sport. They've not had full exposure to rugby league yet but it's a great opportunity.

"We're not in it for a holiday. Brian is the most successful coach in Super League history and we want to progress and progress at a fast rate. We've got the support and the infrastructure and a sports-mad city to embrace it."

The club will not receive central funding from the RFL but are likely to get special dispensation to exceed the salary cap to enable them to run a full-time team.

They have pledged to cover all costs of visiting teams, who will fly out on a Thursday, play on Saturday and return the following day.

The Canadians' squad, which is initially expected to comprise largely of English players, will fly out to Toronto to play fixtures in four or five-match blocks at the Lamport Stadium.

The Wolfpack's player recruitment drive will include a reality television series called 'Last Tackle' which, according to Noble, will raise the club's profile as well as potentially attract players.

Noble said: "It doesn't work for me if there isn't a Canadian influence. We'll have to work out the numbers but I'd be disappointed if we don't have five or six Canadians eventually – but with the speed we want to go at, we'd need some substantial players.

"We'll have six trials in major USA and Canadian cities trialling people who want to be part of it."

Like Toulouse, who entered League One this year, the aim will be to gain immediate promotion to the Championship before making an assault on Super League.

Rugby league legend Jamie Peacock admitted earlier this week that he had considered coming out of retirement to play for the new Canadian team.

The former England captain, who hung up his boots at the end of last season – just short of his 38th birthday – and began work in January as Hull KR's football manager, said: "I nearly signed for them for 2017.

"I was going to play part-time while also doing the Hull KR role but it just didn't quite work out as they didn't get in the league in time.

"But I met the those guys and I could see their passion for it and determination to do it. I think it's a fantastic idea and it's great to spread the game."

Former Bulls and Leeds star Peacock added: "I know the guys who are involved personally and I know how enthusiastic and serious they are about doing this.

"If we get a side that work their way up into Super League, it makes the competition look a lot more cosmopolitan."