Quote: Him "I'd be all for the joint academies if it was a temporary measure for say 10 years whilst the clubs involved improved the quality and participation in the amateur game in their area. But we all know they're not going to do that.'"
I'm not sure it's best left to clubs either - some do a better job than others (Leeds and more recently Wire for example, are lauded for their support of junior clubs) but it would fall to already over stretched community departments to do this work, and I'm not convinced they have the expertise or the resources.
For me, the whole system needs a radical overhaul, involving the RFL, pro and semi-pro clubs and crucially, schools, which is by far the most fertile ground in which to find players. A properly designed programme of skills development and coaching methods, together with a more robust coaching qualification to weed out the angry dads, would also be a good start, as would proper support for community clubs - together with a proportionate amount of oversight to justify that investment. I'd also like to see the current age group system of junior leagues looked at - to address the obsession with, and domination by, freakishly big lads; and potentially, remove the league and cup system that promotes a win at all costs mentality at so many amateur clubs.
It's a looming crisis for the future of the game and if the RFL are to have any role in addressing it, they should appoint someone (suitably qualified - not just a.n other ex player) at a senior level to oversee a complete overhaul of the youth game; and bring back development officers - who did in fairness do some of what I've described and with proper oversight and direction, could do more.