Had an email from Bullbuilder, they seem to believe there is still a fight to be had to retain it. Seems a bit optimistic unless they know something we don’t. Feel sorry for those involved, I know first hand how hard they have worked to raise funds and the passion they have for the club.

Looking at the SL table as it stands, there is a chance that the elite Wakefield academy might not have a SL club, that would be another kick in the teeth for Cas. No doubt there will be another last minute change on relegation to come yet if it looks like anyone but Leigh going down.

Very depressing day.

Same here. You'll not meet a more dedicated and hard working group of supporters. I hope they know something we don't.

This is just the kind of situation where Nigel Wood's knowledge of the ins and outs of the RFL might come in useful - if he's interested in challenging it, I wonder if he'll make a comment.



Unfortunately I can't see Leigh staying up and sparing any embarrassment at the RFL.

Another demonstration of how much we are teachers pet to the RFL!!

I’d get it (begrudgingly) if for geographic reasons they had stripped say Warrington of their license, given there much smaller pull through of players in a small geographic area than Wigan & Sts.

But of course no chance, they are one of the power brokers of modern RL.

For the Yorkshire contingent, Leeds have consistently produced good quality players, Huddersfield have started to the past 3-4 years, but Wakefield!! Beyond Johnstone I’m struggling to think of many other high quality potential internationals have been produced since Gareth Ellis in the mid noughties.

As other posters have said another nail in the coffin of RL in general and Bradford in particular

Excuse my ignorance but just who was involved in the whole process? I hope it wasn't the SL clubs who have just thrown about million quid or more down the drain with consultancy fees for the failed equity share plan and the severance to Elstone... wonder how many academies that might of funded.

They don't produce international players and they don't spend to the cap, meaning effectively that a significant part of the Sky TV money over and above the playing budget subsidises a job creation scheme in Belle View. Is it any wonder Sky cut the money when you pay £1.7m and only get £1.2 m of on field playing product?

Indisputable!

From the RFL website

Well I'm sure it was a completely fair, neutral and transparent process without any inference.

On another subject, when do the RFL hear about what share of the Sky TV money they will receive from the SL clubs?

OK. You can (possibly) give a reason for Bulls not getting one and for the preference of FC over KR. But how can they justify Wakey over Cas. Unless it is to give them a reason not to be relegated this year.

This decision cannot be allowed to stand. I cannot see a single reason why ANY club shouldn’t be encouraged to run an academy and bring players into the game. Especially at the moment with players declining, every person playing our sport is a positive.

If it is a money saving activity (ironic given the money wasted at every level throughout the game!) I wonder if clubs would be allowed to run a self funded academy?

The game should be taking a percentage of the tv deal and ring fencing it for academies to concrete the youth systems and future of the game not closing academies!

Maybe we need to start being like football fans and stage a protest when we disagree with decisions and force a rethink ha!

Seen something on twitter, regarding the shoot out between Cas/Wakey and FC/KR, in both instances the shoot out was won by the head of youth who are employed by the RFL. Apparently personal friends with Medley and others on the panel.

Sure it's just a coincidence though.

As I understand it we are still allowed to run an academy but we have to fund it ourselves and we aren't allowed to compete in the RFL academy league. I think we have to link up with a college and its the college team that represents us and only at one age group playing in college league and in friendlies against other no-elite academies . In effect it limits us to players who attend the college as I understand it. Effectively it gives free reign to the Clubs with elite academies to come in and pick off the better players from our community area as given choice most players are going to go for the eilte academies.

Wonder how long John Bastian stays at Hull KR as they've lost their elite status too. Can see him getting a gig at one of the elite academies pretty sharpish.

I can't help wondering if RFL would reverse decision if we agreed to forgo the central funding (circa100k IIRC), and fund academy entirely ourselves. They had ringfenced enough money to run 2 more academy's than theyve given licenses to so whats happening to that unused pot of money?. Increased funding to the licensed academies or straight in RFLS back pocket to help cover reduced funding they get from SL under new TV deal.

Apparently the chair of the 'independent' panel is a Hull supporter

But obviously totally irrelevant to the choice of Hull over Hull KR

I feel sure Air Commodore Dean Andrews is an honourable man and the fact he is from Hull and regularly attends Hull FC matches had no bearing on the unsuccessful bid by KR

Every super league side should be mandated to have a quality academy set up and to invest a minimum % of revenue in youth development... those that don’t shouldn’t be allowed in the top division.

The game has been on life support for some time. There has been a lack of vision and leadership for years, and the game keeps making baffling and worrying decisions. Super league is terrible and has been for a number of seasons. This decision just speeds up the demise. We are falling further behind the southern hemlsphere on the international stage, and falling further behind rugby union in this country in terms of exposure, professionalism and attracting players.