Quote ="Cheshire Tiger"The key is the academy players. Too many show genuine promise and leave school and do nothing else. Clubs often simply let them do that to facilitate full time training. Any 17 year old would be happy to do that. The onus should be on clubs to insist it doesnt and all academies should employ a part time education and welfare officer. There are plenty of retired teachers who would love to do that. They could work with players after training and mentor their education. The best Head Coaches would also take an interest, some would, some wouldnt.
Im a teacher who has been involved in the game for years and I have had numerous players ring me panicking asking how to become a PE teacher, cos they have been in schools and would like to do that! When the reality of needing a degree and PGCE sets in there is genuine panic. Its awful to see.'"
Which is where hook-ups with local FE/HE institutions come in such as those the Rhinos have with Carnegie for example. Part of the licence process should be for clubs to build these links, and not just for show but to actually give their players at all age levels the opportunity to pick of some skills and qualifications for a life outside sport.
