I was just going to post the same thing. They are almost professional in how they operate at junior level, and it all started with the same team Holroyd and Smithies were in. That team was the first unbeatable, and was again built with poaching other clubs.

When you say poaching; are they paying the lads, or just offering better coaching/facilities etc? It probably doesn’t do much for other clubs if the talent is getting pooled. Maybe doesn’t do the talented players much good winning every week either? The Siddal team this year look pretty much untouchable.

If Siddal are genuinely offering better coaching etc then you can’t blame lads and their parents wanting the best environment.

They build a strong team from the under 11's groups, then each year they invite the best players from other teams to come and join them, to make them stronger and stronger, and weaken the oppossition. Of course not payments, but since the link ups with Leeds and Wigan, they have something to offer. Coaches there are on the Leeds coaching and the Wigan coaching, so they get preference for scholarships. Some players are not as good as they look in that side though, and the fact the team is so strong hides that. For example, we have Will Scrimshaw in our academy, who's dad happens to have been the Siddal coach of his age group, and on the Rhinos coaching. Scrimshaw IMO will not even make any professional rugby team, but he still got a contract and looked after in the same way as top players.

Thanks, that's interesting.

To be fair it would be extremely difficult to design and implement a real development structure which was fair to young lads and to the non-glamour clubs too. I don't know if the RFL would have the mandate even if it had the vision, and I gather player numbers are an ongoing concern.

Long-term though, it sounds like the whole system could do with some evolution. Personally I'd favour really young players being developed in regional centres of excellence, with the local SL side at the head. Siddal for example would currently fall into Huddersfield's orbit, and Leeds and Wigan would keep their beaks out.
You wouldn't want to necessarily restrict player's freedom of choice to play for who they want to in the end, but for the good of developing excellence and equal opportunity across the board, sounds like it's not quite there at the moment.

I don't know enough about it to be honest, all changed a lot since I was a lad!

U16s beat Newcastle Thunder 40 - 20 last night, pretty young team with 7 u15s in the squad and a few of the England lads missing.

Any standouts ?

Highlights are up now. I do like Levi Edwards, another beauty of a half break and offload for try assist. Great individual try from the fullback too.

Skirlaugh beat them today I believe.

Castleford 42 - Leeds 12.

I thought that Cas would win the game but didn't see that scoreline coming. Great advert for scholarship rugby.

Yes I agree a good game . Disappointed with the Leeds team selection though where were Gibbons Watton Turner Edwards and Gannon surely you play your best players in a big game like this?

I was hoping to get to this game but ended up working over. This isn’t intended as a wind up, but can anyone give a short breakdown of the game/players from a Cas perspective please? I’m not familiar with this latest batch of youngsters yet & wondered if there’s any one out there who could shed a bit of light (not too much on our own forum & generally prefer an unbias opinion anyway)! Cheers

Isn't that Jamie's son?

Yeah its Jamies son, very good player

Leeds U16s v wakey U16s

A fantastic display
And I’m led to believe there where 11 U15s in that Leeds team
Tremendous

50 - 4 was the score line i think. Havnt seen any info on line-ups or try scorers.

The clubs website and social media have been brilliant with info on our junior teams this season, suprised at the lack of attention this games recieved so far.