The academies are a fixation in people’s minds. The community game has always been the academy. SL academies do nothing but create a gateway. The best have already been plucked from the community game, well before the age of joining a SL academy.

I appreciate what your saying mate. But there was a time when foundations didn't exist and the community game would criticise Super League for just "plucking players away" and not putting anything into the grass roots.......

Phil Finney of Widnes in an interview accused SL of "Reducing the funding to Widnes Academy" post their relegation, which seems to indicate the RFL don't control this funding.

SL may not see any point to a Widnes academy so close to Wire, and Saints but what academy can attract "non heartland players" I just do not know unless we are talking about London Broncos??

Here is a club just about to secure a deal in a stadium fit for Superelague and who have an academy, that very [i"arguably"[/i attracts non-heartland players?

London Broncos a shoe in 2022??

Many a true word.......

No need for London Lads to be "Nicked" if 2022 will see Superleague look to include London in SL

They won't be favourites to win promotion but will go close.

It's laughable that under the new SKY contract Superleague will be beholden to overseas clubs any more.

The major cut to SKY funding came after a period when a small but voiciferous bunch were talking about Transatlantic and Anglo-French leagues as clubs in Toulouse, Ottawa and New York were knocking on the door to join Catalans and Toronto in Superleague.

Result? massive cut to the SKY Superleague deal.............

Reaction? North America dumped. Newcastle hoisted to the Championship, and Lenegan and Hughes investment into London to find a new ground that qualifies for Superleague.

You don't actually believe that, do you?

Individuals discussing rugby league matters influence a huge television network.Who knew...?

I hold them wholly responsible for the pandemic....How very dare they?