I imagine that their parents may have some input, sufficient to perhaps weigh up the pros and cons of signing up with the local club (and a limited development path, at that club) or a club further away with a pathway right through to the first team (in theory).

How many 13 year olds on scholarships actually make it all the way through to first team rugby for the club they sign onto the scholarship programme with?

I don't see why this is a dead end. The good players (that want to continue their development) will be signed up at clubs that run under 18's the not so good ones won't, in any event all will have gained from the availability of another scholarship programme.

Or perhaps Leigh can do thisWe are therefore left with no alternative than to go with the RFL player pathway which will run alongside the regional programme."

"The club will select 20 players 10 from each age group under 15s and under 16s who will train at Leigh once a week and then will attend regional sessions with a further 8 players who will have been identified by the regional selectors."

"At least we can monitor the progress of the players selected and formulate a development program and player pathway for them to become future Leigh Centurions players."'"

Who?

Or is it just to support the current salary cap debate going on over in the nrl.