I agree with everything you are saying. The 15 clubs who took an interest had 3 years to prepare the academy for application and simply haven't met the agreed, specified criteria.

Lets see what an independent third party thinks when some club go through the appeal process.

The extent to which the club produces Super League players (since 2016) The ability to finance an Academy Any other criteria that the RFL determines is relevant at it's discretion = yeh real specific that isn't it

I've got my head around it

If the independent third party justifies the refusal to allow an academy, and points out the shortcomings can the club(s) put these right and re-apply?

Realistically, no.

The decision is based on past performance, which is fine but the past is gone.

If you mean ‘could they do better and re-apply in a few years based on that better performance’, then the issue is that they won’t have an elite academy during that period and so will be unlikely to improve.

It is a bit like under the SL licensing system, when non-SL clubs could apply but it was very difficult for them to compete with the incumbents with their inherent advantages.

Karl Turner, the MP for East Hull has tweeted that he expects a statement from the RFL and Hull KR today, following what he believes to have been constructive discussions.

Thank you, very informative.........

Even though HKR could end up with no academy, one issue here is when a young player does well enough to be signed as a professional I take it he does not have to sign for his academy club? Once at the end of going through the FC academy, is say a keen Rovers fan who has really done well in the said Hull FC academy able to just go and sign professional with Rovers????

Coincidentally, this came up in another discussion I saw earlier today.

Hull FC have a promising young fullback called Connor Wynne who is 20 years old and, as far as public knowledge goes, ooc at the end of the season. It isn’t even a rumour that Rovers might be interested, afaik, just fans looking at the ooc list and wondering. The point was made that because he is under 21, Hull would be entitled to fee if they also offer a contract that meets certain criteria. I’m not clear on who sets that fee and how, but it isn’t an open market once lads are above academy-eligible age.

Another issue might be if a kid is a massive Rovers fan and isn’t too smart about hiding it (I remember hearing Kenny Dalglish tell a story about hiding his Rangers posters when the Celtic scout visited his family ), might Hull be disinclined to invest in his development?

Quote: dboy "I've already posted that HKR seem disadvantaged by this process, due to having a joint academy for the previous period. I've also posted that I could see an interim licence being given to HKR, perhaps reassessed in 2 years, instead of 5.'" https://www.totalrl.com/rfl-modifies-it ... -licences/ "Probationary Elite licences have now been awarded to Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers and Hull Kingston Rovers... These are initially for a two-year period (2022-23), “and the clubs’ progress during that period will be kept under regular review”, according to the RFL." Dave Rotheram, the RFL’s Chief On-Field Officer, said: “We are pleased that it has been possible to reach this agreement for the benefit of all, while respecting the process that led to the initial decision. “The RFL will work with all five clubs to address their specific circumstances. All have responded to these challenges with impressive energy, which has earned these opportunities. “There is a recognition by all now that Elite should mean Elite".

Quote: dboy "I've already posted that HKR seem disadvantaged by this process, due to having a joint academy for the previous period. I've also posted that I could see an interim licence being given to HKR, perhaps reassessed in 2 years, instead of 5.'" https://www.totalrl.com/rfl-modifies-it ... -licences/ "Probationary Elite licences have now been awarded to Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers and Hull Kingston Rovers... These are initially for a two-year period (2022-23), “and the clubs’ progress during that period will be kept under regular review”, according to the RFL." Dave Rotheram, the RFL’s Chief On-Field Officer, said: “We are pleased that it has been possible to reach this agreement for the benefit of all, while respecting the process that led to the initial decision. “The RFL will work with all five clubs to address their specific circumstances. All have responded to these challenges with impressive energy, which has earned these opportunities. “There is a recognition by all now that Elite should mean Elite".

Glad to see common sense has prevailed and Cas, KR & Bradford have been awarded elite licences for 2022 and 2023. GIving them an extended period to apply for the full licences. i.e. they'll be issued once everyone has forgotten about all this.

Ralph saves face and the player pool isn't knackered by what was an incredulously bad decision.

Reported elsewhere ... https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... n-20745431 "the RFL has now granted probationary licences to the three clubs for a two-year period, in which time the clubs will be regularly reviewed to ensure they are meeting the standards required. All clubs have received feedback as to where their applications fell short and will be required to fix those issues to retain their licences."

Reported elsewhere ... https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... n-20745431 "the RFL has now granted probationary licences to the three clubs for a two-year period, in which time the clubs will be regularly reviewed to ensure they are meeting the standards required. All clubs have received feedback as to where their applications fell short and will be required to fix those issues to retain their licences."

Typically classy response from a Bulls fan - it's ALWAYS someone else's fault!

Hopefully the 3 clubs will take the chance they have been given and make the required improvements.

If they aren't up to standard in 2 year's time, will that be Ralph's fault as well?

Which in Bradford's case was that there aren't enough U16's playing in the district despite the number of community clubs. Removing the academy wouldn't improve that either as a couple of the community clubs have already received approaches from a super league club.

Rubbish that for 2 weeks parents and kids have had this uncertainty with the club only receiving - what is pretty subjective - feedback yesterday!

Forgive me for being cynical but Bradford didn't get one in the first place because the superleague chairmen didn't want Championship clubs to have academies. The likes of Lenagan said as much two years ago. London and Newcastle are development areas but certainly Newcastle fail on 2 of the 4 criteria as set out.

Typical supercilious response from you.

Whilst Nigel Wood is acknowledging that improvements need to be made, he is also getting his excuses lines up for the next failure...

"we now see the position as a great opportunity to improve even further.

We will work even harder...

We should also mark a note of caution. The revised financial support provided by the RFL is likely to be either removed completely or drastically cut. This will undoubtedly place a considerable strain on the Club..."