Quote: Cliff Sprack "I think there is maybe some confusion on the status of players.
The goal is full-time pro contracts for the first team, but the club will start with a mix of players on full time contracts, and others who are semi-pro. It is further complicated by the fact that some of the younger quality players will be "apprentices" a particular status in France. Toulouse is the only RL club in France to have a full-time Centre de Formation (the Dragons do not ) funded by the Government. The France Junior prop Maxime Circirko will be part of this, studying but also playing RL, receiving a grant. Ditto Telly Pelo (dmitri's cousin) who is a Student. Former St Gaudens Antoni Maria, on the fringe of the French national squad is also in this category, as is Nicolas Delgal. But they are all handy players but still finishing their apprenticeship/continuing their education as well.
There will be 8 FT pro contracts initially. the rest semi-pro, plus yonger lads from the C de F, but the squad will move towards FT for all for the second season, when they will also run a team in the Elite.
The club have appointed FT Coach, Assistant and Conditioner and references to "professionalism" are also in terms of the quality and standards. For example those players retained from last year's squad have already been undergoing personalised weight training (5 sessions a week to raise the physical standards)'"
Refreshing to read someone who knows what he's talking about. Thank you Cliff Sprack.
