Hemel Stags have made a defining step toward their entry into Championship 1 with the completion of the first stage of their stadium development project.

The fledgling Championship 1 club has inserted 400 seats in a top of the range Grand Stand.

Their progress toward Championship 1 is being watched closely by the wider Rugby League world and the announcement of their Main Sponsor, Haven Holidays, last week and now the completion of the stand this week show they are well on track.

Commenting on the work still to do, Tom Williams, Community Manager said: "We still have a way to go but some important steps are being made and more are coming very soon.

"Preparing a club for Championship 1 is a challenging process and is one that requires dedication, hard work and perseverance.

"We are striving, at Hemel, to ensure that we prepare as well as possible for the competition and that we will be a truly positive addition to Championship 1."

Hemel Stags announced that they will be owned by a Supporters' Trust earlier this year and they are still looking for expressions of interest. Their trust will be set up in the next few months and payment options to own a share in the Stags will be available.

Williams commented further: "The reaction of the local business community has been very positive so far and our local residents seem excited by the prospect of our accession into the professional ranks.

"We want people in our local area and from far away to be a part of what we are trying to achieve here.

"We are an organically grown club and will continue to grow as such. I think it would be a truly inspiring project to be a part of and I implore anyone who is interested to buy a share in the future of this club."