And the thread nearly dies with a typical nasty and empty reply from whoever you are.........

I think the way it goes now is the RL game is played in Schools across the M62, and that introduces kids to the game. In our local M62 school they only play Union though so that's a problem for us. Local SL clubs through the "foundations" encourage kids to play at school and at local amateur clubs some run kids teams through all the age ranges. Your right there is a massive drop off of kids playing either code of Rugby or Soccer when they start to get some independence in their teenage years and drift off into other things.

For me the one thing is that is essential is freedom of choice, so once you start "drafting" and telling people what to do and where to go and play then I'd be sure they would take great exception to that, and it would be very damaging. I think the issue here is where clubs are close together and parents of talented kids can choose which academy to take their kids to. e.g. If the best kids in the Salford area are off to Wigan Academy what's the point. This I think was Koukash's argument for closing it.

Diversing slightly Superleague were keen for any club wanting a place in the 2022 Superleague to run reserves, with the aim of keeping more academy kids in the game to a later age. Salford AFAIK signed up to that........

So speaking the truth is nasty? What do saints and Wigan gain from having the infrastructure at grass roots level when the kids they natured could be stolen by Salford who have zero infrastructure?

But if you have nothing to add and would just rather call me nasty, crack ok if it makes you feel better.

I'm not at all interested in what you have got to say, your terrible record of trolling speaks for itself.

But your post is a nice way to point out to fair minded people (only please) that Kallum Watkins played his junior RL in Salford, and joined the Salford academy only to be poached by Leeds.

Leeds got 256 games out of the lad and now he's pretty much on the downhill path, Salford can now have him back. Not much point lower clubs trying to run player development systems when big clubs who should concentrate on their own locality decide to jump in and take their best lads away........

I get your point and it has some worthy validity. However, in the age of professional sport, it's upto those who take part to, first and foremost, think about their own welfare financially - Does an apprentice in any working capacity have the moral obligation to pay back his trainer by dedicating his lifetime's work to them, despite the ability to earn more money elsewhere? (I suppose that's a question for another discussion?).

I think it comes back to the argument of finding enough individual club owners who can compete on the same financial playing field. Admittedly, a difficult job in these times and with a sport that struggles permamantly for a positive profile.

This was the case in our (state) school in Warrington in the 1990s, and most of us would play for a rugby league side outside school, I didn't think it was that unusual.

Although it may explain Warrington's comparatively poor quality youth compared to say Wigan.

I assume you are talking about a school in South Warrington, because no school north of the river plays RU, do they?

I don't know actually. Bridgewater and Lymm both played RU, and mostly played against mid Cheshire teams now that I think about it.

Bridgewater and Lymm isn't Warrington



Anyone living in those areas would be horrified at being labelled Warrington, as it would destroy their insurance premiums.

Grew up in Stockton Heath and proud to be a Warringtonian.

It is true that some people put Stockton Heath, Cheshire as their address though. Not many, but some. They're actually often the people who've arrived in recent years, since the new development in the village.

I'd put that down to Wigan's on the field success over many years, I think this helps inspire the kids. I think this may be happening in Warrington as I perceive that in 2020 there are more quality players coming out of Warrington that there was say 10 years ago?

Perhaps you’d like some salt and vinegar for the chip on your shoulder? Lymm, fair enough, but Bridgewater is very much in Warrington, and they also place league there now as well as union.