Quote: Hudd-Shay "How come Bradford are compensated to run an academy, as are Widnes I understand? Is this option open to all clubs?'"
AFAIAW clubs that run Category 1 Academies qualify for central funding to help with running costs. In theory it is open to all clubs but certain criteria/standards have to be met to be able to do so and clubs can't just set one up and expect to get that funding. Around the time Widnes announced that they were reverting to PT next season they also commented that they were assessing their Academy set up (from memory they specifically mentioned funding but without trawling through their news pages I couldn't be certain) but I've not seen anything since.