I do hope we see SL fans coming on here slamming the RFL for the new junior structures at their clubs, the 2 Hull clubs to share an academy, up to potentially 10 SL players playing at Championship clubs , yet another backward step for RL

Is this really down to the RFL or a simple decision made by both clubs?

Nothing to do with the RFL, again, the 2 clubs made the decision by themselves as with so many of the decisions some seem to think the RFL make.

Aren't Salford and Sale Sharks also sharing youth facilities. If it brings on younger players and also gives those lads a better chance at making it then all the better.

Its the RFL and S/L clubs that want to push it through .Try Reading Powell and Astons View in todays L/Express I agree with them. What chance has My Son and other Junior players
got when some S/L clubs link up with smaller clubs and farm there players out on Duel Registration which means they won`t have as many Juniors coming through the Ranks .
The Young Lads Have to start Somewhere Wether it BE S/L or the Championship,1&2

So lets see some criticism of the clubs for stifling development of junior RL players, I'm sure Smokey will have an opinion on it

This isnt just facilities, its sharing 1 team, it'll be interesting to see who picks the team

Tricky as if you look at the South Wales/Wigan link up it has not worked with players going down for a game or 2 and never be seen again so Scorpions had no continuity in selection though Wigan did have an outlet to get players match fit, the Bronco's/Skolars link up works much better but I guess there players can train with their Champ 1 club not just pop down for a flying visit.

Needs to be looked at and limited and gets a bit silly when the likes of Tom Spencer where he played for Wigan, Leigh and Scorpions within a week.

No U23's no U20's. New age groups of 19's and 16's. Laughable imo oh and don't blame the championship clubs that don't sign up for assigning all the unwanted 20/21/22 year olds to a life in union. This is pure and simple a money saving exercise by SL and expecting someone else to take over their player development.

So they may as well merge completely then

That way the kc stadium may get full for once

After all what do hull kr bring apart from a team full of foreign players?

Anyway I thought it was part of the super franchising to bring players through with the reserves

and now they don't need them....priceless

Merge salford and sale? What sense would that make?

I wonder if clubs like Huddersfield will actually be able to field a team with the new setup?

If Hull and Rovers merged you'd be lucky to get a 1000 in the KC.

Its a decision I am skeptical of especially if it means some Youngsters may be forced to sign for one of the sides they don't want to. However it does make sense to bring all the best youngsters in Hull & surrounding areas into one team as opposed to having two different academies with only half of them squads only having half a chance of a successful playing career. If it means both clubs funding on academies can be channeled into one team meaning both clubs get better youngsters then I am all for it. It is however riddled with flaws.

Explain how having half as many juniors will mean those juniors are any better than what you had before?

Surely the rivalry between the clubs improved the development of those juniors?

Rovers were criticised on these boards for not running junior teams in the NL s, so I expect those critics to show their dissapointment with the sports governing body for this wholesale reduction in junior development

More funding can be given to a player then before enabling them help with studies as well the RL career. Youngsters will be in a more talented team therefore having to produce there best to become stand out youngsters. Its easy to think your a good player if your playing well in a poor team.



Not really, if anything it has made them worse. Today's game is a pure example, the kids would rather fight each other then play a game of Rugby. That and it is possible for a KR fan to be in Hull academy and vice versa which obviously leads to speculation or certain youngsters refusing to sign for one club or the other because of family ties (stupid I know, but the way it is).



As has being said elsewhere this decision is nothing to do with the RFL. If Hull and Rovers want to merge the academy systems it is up to them and they will be judged on the success of it over time. Could be a master stroke or could be a disaster. Overall though I don't see what relevance it has on this situation. Nobody can predict the future accurately and I guess both Hull clubs may think since Rovers arrival in SL that the talent pool in Hull has dropped down as kids have found it easier to get into academies.

Shouldn't your anger be @ the two Hull clubs?

Its saving on the running costs. Might mean Salford can survive on crowds of 5000 instead of 8000. Its been long planned, that's why half the new stadium seating is Salford colours and half city reds. Wont be long before Sale City Reds/Salford Sharks rebrand.

So the suggestion is that the 2 Hull clubs have unilaterally decided to merge their academies without consulting the RFL?

I'd suggest immiediate revoking of their SL licences as running your own academy is a SL licence requirement

I agree, give it to Leigh they'd bring much more to the top league.

You see , posting ' thicko ' isnt hard, so why not try posting intelligent next time?

When you take a leaf out of your own book then maybe others will indulge you with intelligence.

This system could work and it could not, it is a risk but it could be one worth taking. They is noway both clubs would do this (and the RFL give there blessing if you like) if they thought it would dramatically stop Youth development in our area.

ATEOD you have given this no thought,you have stepped onto your high horse because your club is not part of the franchise system and are doing everything in your power to inject negativity into the sport. I have tried to offer an explanation and theory as to why the move is happening and you have just dismissed it and asked for both clubs license to be revoked. Which is a stupid thing to say as losing both clubs out of SL would weaken the competition.

We could always move one of them back to Gateshead from whence they came

Hey presto expansion is back.

This has been agreed by the rfl and sl clubs and leeds have already linked up with hunselt,despite the fact the championship clubs don't meet to discuss until September.If this goes ahead it means the championship club can play up to 6 dual reg players and 4 loan players each week.So that's 10 players who would normally play making way to keep 10 SL fringe players fit and in turn making these clubs nothing but feeder clubs.Just when you think the idiots running the game come up with this

Has the joint Hull academy thing been confirmed? I thought it was just a rumour. If its just sharing facilities then it makes sense. If its a reduction down to one joint team then it's a disgrace and both clubs should be ashamed.

If what Starbug has said is true about an increase in academy players that championship clubs can take on, then I don't mind that. It is a far higher standard for those players than staying in u20's. There is a big problem with the step up from academy to first team in SL and this would seem to be a way to help mitigate that. As I understand it Championship clubs can currently take a max of 4 players on loan or on DR. I doubt every Championship club would take 10 players on loan or DR from SL academies, so as long as the Championship club isn't being forced to take players it doesn't want I don't see what the problem is.

You suggested it was the clubs decision, nothing to do with the RFL, I was just pointing out it wasnt, the RFL have once again changed the rules of licensing just 1 year into a 3year licensing period, that is why my anger is again aimed at them , personally I couldnt care less what the 2 Hull clubs do, but lets set rules and keep to them, at least for set periods of time