I read the other day that the Crusaders Academy system is run by the Welsh RL rather than the Crusaders Club and is therefore likely to survive the possible collpase of the Crusaders Franchise as the RFL will continue to support it. My suggestion would be to use these teams to create a channel for young Welsh players to use as a way to reach the Super League in years to come. It would need to be under a new name, something generic but Welsh such as Druids RLFC to avoid associations with Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts etc. This would see the best young players in Wales enter one academy initialy which would have teams starting from the under 15's and then up to sides in the Valvoline Cup at under 18's and Reserves Leagues where any interested Super League clubs could sign the better players, as long as it was well documented where they had been signed from so as to build awareness. Admittedly there may be problems in terms of getting players to travel so maybe they could look at entering both a Northern Druids and Southern Druids team into some of the competitions. The club could look at establishing merchandise to build it's brand awareness before perhaps entering a semi pro team into the Championships after which it could eventually look at entering the Super League.

Jamaica Rugby League have already started using a similar idea as a fastrack for local players, called Hurricanes RL.

I think that the Catalan's SL academy/reserves/whatever-its-called became a French academy/whatever last year. This would be a good idea for Wales, with SWC and the Welsh conference supporting this. If the reserves can then form a top-flight side then the same model could be repeated again.
Possibly this could also be trialled in a non-Broncos part of London?

Potentially it could also work in London and other areas, we really just need to ensure there are suitable pathways for people that want to play at Super League Level.

I'd think that's the downside. If a young player has two offers, one from a SL academy and one from what effectively is an unattached academy, he's going to take the SL deal.

Doesn't the RFL RPDC programme already provide this elite development for young players anyway?

I'd probably see this idea as more for those kids who maybe come to the game late and aren't spotted by SL clubs, somewhere for the late developers to continue their RL education and maybe put themselves in the shop window.

Almost like an extension of the Service Area concept but linked into the existing Academy/Reserve structure.

Thats what the Championship clubs are for

Nothing to stop these Championship clubs picking up young players from Wales, Ireland, London or wherever at the moment, and nobody is saying they should be stopped from doing so.

If these young players are part of a regional Academy playing games against SL and Championship Academy/Reserve sides however, that will help their development up to the point where they are able/ready to take the step up.

If you're a promising 16/17 year old at the moment in North Wales, what are your options if Crusaders don't continue?

Read the other thread

It's a good idea.

Perhaps the RFL could look at setting up regional associations that run the development in those areas, set up academy structures, etc. with the aim to setting up pro clubs in the future. This would then mean that there a players ready for when a pro club comes around, and there are still systems in place if that club collapses (or if more clubs are to come around).

A better idea would be to get rid of all the Championship Clubs, to give SL teams more money.But wait, where would all the DR players ply their trade? No that would'nt work---or woult it?

A better idea would be to get rid of all the Championship Clubs, to give SL teams more money.But wait, where would all the DR players ply their trade? No that would'nt work---or woult it?

And the most stupid, idiotic post of the year goes to.... Wait for it........... Yes it's Casandra.

I would suggest his tongue was firmly in his cheek at the time

I reckon a Jamaican franshise in Super League would be more credible than a Welsh one.

That's funny, because I think a Welsh Franchise would add more to Super League than a Wakefield one.