Quote ="Ste100Centurions"Could there be a case (or even a way) to make our amateur Clubs feeder Clubs to the pro & semi/pro leagues ?
I am thinking that the pro club's could provide additional financing to our amateur partners in return for those Clubs & players being affiliated members of their parent Clubs.
Leigh could/would have Miners & East *St Helens have reportedly taken players from these rececently*, Wigan would have St Pat's etc.
I don't know how this works in Oz or how it could work here, if at all, just throwing out an idea.'"
Without going as far as being feeder clubs some of that is supposed to happen already. Embed the Pathway and Sky Try are concerted efforts by the RFL to get Pro Clubs more involved in schools in their area and to work in partnership with the junior set ups in their local amateur clubs. Also to provide a route from Junior amateur rugby to pro clubs academies/first teams and back again if the players don't make it. The idea being to keep them involved in the sport and potentially have further attempts at becoming pro players again in the future.
According to Leigh East and Miners there is little relationship between them and the Centurions and little activity with them (which surprised me as from the outside Leigh always appear to be well connected to their community). Warrington seem to be doing the best from the feedback I've heard from the community clubs. My club Salford have traditionally had a non-existent or even hostile relationship with local clubs but have recently really stepped up their game and the Foundation is doing some great work. Early days but encouraging.
