Quote: wrencat1873 "It would be utterly bizarre for the game not to allow academies, wherever they are situated.
I dont see a problem in them needing to be licensed, in fact this is a very good idea - hopefully to ensure minimum standards etc.
The game is short of players and this situation is likely to get worse in the short term, with contact sports being heavily affected due to covid.
"We" should be encouraging RL anywhere and everywhere, not closing doors for those willing to invest.'"
Go steady, Academies only drain existing young players from community clubs in their hundreds. That can lead to amateur clubs having to disband what's left of junior and youth sides. Players are then lost to the game. Then when most of the academy lads are rejected after a season or two they generally don't go back to the community clubs and more are lost.
The SKY contract provided £17.8 million to pay for the charitable foundations via the RFL, These foundations do not run academies, they encourage youngsters to take the game up in the first place. Thus the pro game promotes the game to youngsters and gives them a pathway to become professionals via amateur clubs then academy. then pro for the very small number that make it.
For me the Bradford Academy was protected because it worked.. It produced. The Salford academy was shut by Koukash. but Salford were not pressed to re-open one. I assume this is because Salford lads can choose to go to such as Wigan Academy. Hull clubs ran a joint academy as they felt Hull only needed one joint academy which was accepted. But now it seems they are running their own again which could mean come 2022 one rule could be all clubs must run academies to be in SL.
So the Bulls were passed over to keep building the business up, the team up and keep that academy going. Meanwhile Leigh will act as stop gap, unless they manage to not come bottom....
Gary Schoefield has Wakefield to come bottom next season. so maybe Leigh and Salford would need academies 2022 but it seems pointless
The phrase "
[iThe ability to draw players from non-heartland areas will be integral to successful reapplication[/i". is puzzling???
