Yep McDermott, whatever his faults, was a big driver behind the coach education programme that ran for several years (it might be still be going, not sure) and he used to take several sessions.

It was great in my opinion. The only problem being that it was somewhat preaching to the converted. Those who wanted to know more and be a better coach went to the sessions and you’d often see the same faces there. But those “bad” coaches are still bad coaches because they don’t go to the session.

Definitely worth doing though. They can only be positive for the amateur game.

Shouldn't we take the coach education programme around to the amateur clubs rather than run courses at HQ? I'd say this should be part of Agar's former role and something he should do if / when he steps back from 1st Team Coach.

Totally understand what you are saying Batley, and dont disagree at all, but shouldnt the RFL but in charge of coach education and not the professional clubs?

My comparison was fox to walker not worked with steve for years but whether or not he was the answer hes in front walker in my opinion.

Some of the coach education doesnt get to the key fundamantal issues that are going on in amateur clubs. Id start with simple principle (though also most important) that children should be active for at least 80% of the session, ie not doing things in relay lines with 12 kids queueing up to smash into a tackle shield held by a dad. Im so disheartened to still see that going on. And it even still happens within the leeds foundation staff, repeat stop doing activities in relay fashion. Id love to run a club cpd session, i was involved with delivering at the rhinos ones nearly 15 years ago.

Are you referring to MB?

I am indeed Mark when i speak to parents and people associated with the club they all speak highly of him as a person but more importantly as a coach. I have been banging this drum for a while. As a club we seem to fall into the habit of giving ex players coaching roles with our kids and they don't have the experience or skill sets when it come to development.
Coaching kids is totally different to the world of playing at the elite level they have just left i just don't think it works at all but thats just my take on what i have seen this past number of years.
Theres a bit of work for Walker to do based on last night but he should be given time after all its about developing future first graders and not about results

Your contradicting fox on this post Seth as he was the one out delivering the stuff you are moaning about at the community clubs as part of his role with the foundation before the club got rid of him thats where his bad reputation came from !!

Like i said ive not worked with steve for years my assessment, again compared with walker was on seeing him as a club coach. The community stuff i refer to is my experience of it in previous years, again not while steves been involved so cant comment.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about MB, understand he is now part of the England set up, so clearly is rated. Let’s hope he can keep progressing within the club and with England.

Not seen anything about England Mark but if thats correct it just reaffirms what i've been saying about the bloke all along!!

Yep he's just got the England staff gig for me he could & should be heading up our Acadamy set up in the near future.

They certainly were doing 2/3 years ago. They’d hold a few sessions at amateur clubs. My disappointment was you’d only see maybe 2 or 3 coaches from that club there. I would have expected every coach to be there from all age groups. Yet only 2/3 would turn up along with the regular faces from other clubs.

That’s exactly what McDermott’s coach education sessions were based around. Enjoyment first and foremost, if they dont enjoy it they won’t learn as much and they won’t come back. And also lots of small sided games essentially rather than drills.

With an England Academy tour to Australia in August I know that the staff are a bit worried about the lack of quality up front compared to 2028 when England had Havard, Wilson & Holroyd.
Who do you people rate as potential England props in this age group, Is Rowley good enough ?

I know Leeds are very high on Nathan Snee but he is a year below Rowley and therefore probably wont be selected for the tour. Rowley is good though.

Not related but the Wigan 13 Harry Rushton looked a player the other night.

Rushtons very good, England will likely move him to prop and play Jacob Gannon at 13, was never overly impressed with Gannon in our Scholarship but he seems very highly rated by the England set up and he's put a lot of size on since he was here.

It’s good that was the case though it doesn’t get through to many junior coaches and even the foundation as some of the videos I’ve seen of their sessions in schools etc are awful.

Rowley stood out the other night so did Gibbons no12 imo.
Wrt Wigan i thought their pack ran us ragged which their HB's & FB ran riot off.

Decent win for 18s 44-10 v Bradford.

Luca Atkinson and Ben Meyhew the pick of the bunch for me today. I really like young Meyhew. Like AJ Wallace too but hes been under used as a sub at the moment but hes a big athletic kid that runs well.

Virus permitting 18s and reserves play in a double header at Widnes next week. 16s play Wednesday night too.

Good stuff. Was hoping for a big result today with the team we had out.

Looking forward to the 16's this season, should be a very good team this year.

I watched the game v Bradford, I was impressed with the line speed at it was quite physical with some big hits.
Agree with what was said previously Wallace is a beast off the bench and I thought Gibbons a handful too.
What are the early impressions of Hall the centre ?

[uRumour Mill [/u
Has anyone heard anything about the Rhinos making their U18 academy players available to both Championship and League 1 clubs due to a shortage of cash and have been sending videos of their player profiles out in order to help the players secure a club for next season?

I've not heard this from anyone officially associated with the Rhinos,But a pal of mine has said that his son has been informed that he will not be at the club next season and that also plenty more of that age group will not be either and he also mentioned some of the better players by name that won't be playing at the club which I was surprised by (IF true)?

If this is not true then I apologise,But I am only relaying news that I have been told

Its inevitable Biff unfortunately. Only 16s and 19s next year.

All of this years 16s who havent played are eligible for 19s next year so there are surplus kids. Most clubs will be playing u18s as their 19s including us.

Unfortunately some good kids are being released.

Cheers Marty
It will be interesting to see the full list of players both released and retained as there must have been some very difficult decisions made.

Pretty much everyone 18 or over who arent in the full time squad have been released unfortunately.