I don't know if people agree with me but for my club Bradford, the idea of telling us we can't have an Academy would be beyond belief. The single shining light in our years of disaster has been our ability to attract and develop local lads, plenty of which have then become established players, some at SL teams. Do we really want to shut down a proven entry point for young lads to enter the professional and semi-professional game? I really hope its not quite as black and white as that Widnes statement suggests.

It would be utterly bizarre for the game not to allow academies, wherever they are situated.
I dont see a problem in them needing to be licensed, in fact this is a very good idea - hopefully to ensure minimum standards etc.
The game is short of players and this situation is likely to get worse in the short term, with contact sports being heavily affected due to covid.
"We" should be encouraging RL anywhere and everywhere, not closing doors for those willing to invest.

Agree 100%, if someone (or a group of someone's) are happy to fund it, the coaches are suitably qualified and vetted, it is to be encouraged.

A few years ago Bradford,and presumably the other clubs,were given 100k from the RFL towards the costs for running academies. Just like some clubs were NOT permitted to run reserve sides,some clubs were not permitted to run academies. Para 2 (g) for the 100k bit - https://www.rugby-league.com/article/39 ... n-bradford

A few years ago Bradford,and presumably the other clubs,were given 100k from the RFL towards the costs for running academies. Just like some clubs were NOT permitted to run reserve sides,some clubs were not permitted to run academies. Para 2 (g) for the 100k bit - https://www.rugby-league.com/article/39 ... n-bradford

Go steady, Academies only drain existing young players from community clubs in their hundreds. That can lead to amateur clubs having to disband what's left of junior and youth sides. Players are then lost to the game. Then when most of the academy lads are rejected after a season or two they generally don't go back to the community clubs and more are lost.

The SKY contract provided £17.8 million to pay for the charitable foundations via the RFL, These foundations do not run academies, they encourage youngsters to take the game up in the first place. Thus the pro game promotes the game to youngsters and gives them a pathway to become professionals via amateur clubs then academy. then pro for the very small number that make it.

For me the Bradford Academy was protected because it worked.. It produced. The Salford academy was shut by Koukash. but Salford were not pressed to re-open one. I assume this is because Salford lads can choose to go to such as Wigan Academy. Hull clubs ran a joint academy as they felt Hull only needed one joint academy which was accepted. But now it seems they are running their own again which could mean come 2022 one rule could be all clubs must run academies to be in SL.

So the Bulls were passed over to keep building the business up, the team up and keep that academy going. Meanwhile Leigh will act as stop gap, unless they manage to not come bottom....

Gary Schoefield has Wakefield to come bottom next season. so maybe Leigh and Salford would need academies 2022 but it seems pointless

The phrase "[iThe ability to draw players from non-heartland areas will be integral to successful reapplication[/i". is puzzling???

The academies are a fixation in people’s minds. The community game has always been the academy. SL academies do nothing but create a gateway. The best have already been plucked from the community game, well before the age of joining a SL academy.

I appreciate what your saying mate. But there was a time when foundations didn't exist and the community game would criticise Super League for just "plucking players away" and not putting anything into the grass roots.......

Phil Finney of Widnes in an interview accused SL of "Reducing the funding to Widnes Academy" post their relegation, which seems to indicate the RFL don't control this funding.

SL may not see any point to a Widnes academy so close to Wire, and Saints but what academy can attract "non heartland players" I just do not know unless we are talking about London Broncos??

Here is a club just about to secure a deal in a stadium fit for Superelague and who have an academy, that very [i"arguably"[/i attracts non-heartland players?

London Broncos a shoe in 2022??

Many a true word.......

No need for London Lads to be "Nicked" if 2022 will see Superleague look to include London in SL

They won't be favourites to win promotion but will go close.

It's laughable that under the new SKY contract Superleague will be beholden to overseas clubs any more.

The major cut to SKY funding came after a period when a small but voiciferous bunch were talking about Transatlantic and Anglo-French leagues as clubs in Toulouse, Ottawa and New York were knocking on the door to join Catalans and Toronto in Superleague.

Result? massive cut to the SKY Superleague deal.............

Reaction? North America dumped. Newcastle hoisted to the Championship, and Lenegan and Hughes investment into London to find a new ground that qualifies for Superleague.

You don't actually believe that, do you?

Individuals discussing rugby league matters influence a huge television network.Who knew...?

I hold them wholly responsible for the pandemic....How very dare they?