It's not worth taking too much notice of really as some years the U19s of some sides can be a really young set against other sides who happen to have an older bunch.

It is. Maybe worth looking at running an under 18s and under 20s instead of 16s then straight to 19s, which imo would match up more evenly the age gap of the lads as there is a big difference in size development in particular between 16/17 year olds and 19 year olds. Would also give an extra year of development for lads who when they get themselves to 19 are quickly thrown on scrap heap or farmed out to the championship if they are not seen as ready for the first team squad.

All teams put the effort in you clown but there can only be one winner - stupid post as ever.

Correct.

I think Wakey won it in 2011 and none of those players have made the grade with only Chris Anakin gaining a contract. We won because at the time most of our players were on the older side with a fair bit of experience playing to gether - they were a good team rather thann exceptional players.

Tom Johnstone and Max Jowitt on the other hand came from a relatively poor Academy team - you just can't tell.

Why is it stupid for a rugby fan to be proud of its youngsters achievements who could develop our future game.

Because he suggested that Saints and Wigan put more effort in than most which is plain wrong - thought that was obvious.

Nothing wrong with being proud, everything wrong with that level of pomposity.

Finally though Wigan do have something of a reputation with Academy players as do Cas and as did Leeds for a long time I don't recall any of my contacts in the game ever being overly impreesed with the Saints set up. They have produced a fair number of players but are yet to really produce a team based on their Academy products which is what the three clubs I mentioned have managed. That said the signing of 10 of them on scholorships is a big positive.

This is why I pointed out the Wakefield team which won it not so long ago, wait and see where they all end up before chipping away at other clubs who try just as hard.

Looking at the bigger picture - 2016 resultsOutstanding

Leeds
Saints
Warrington
Widnes
Wigan


Good

Bradford
Cas
Hudds
London
Newcastle


Needs Improvement

Salford
Wakefield


Yet to be assessed.

City of Hull (2015 - Hull FC - Outstanding, Hull KR - Good)
Catalans

Oh really? So why is Wakefields academy in dire need of improvement? Not my words, the words of the RFL

Regards

King James

I wouldn't bother with Vastman most of the time he writes a lot of GUFF.

He probably completely ignores the facts of the recent 2014 Grand final, Saints had 8 academy trained players and Wigan had 10 academy trained players in that match.

It's not what the the RFL said at the start of the year,you've added your own word for added effect haven't you.

Regards

King Shifty.

Which meams you can't argue your case - coward.

It's not, you added dire. It did need improvement correct though it was mainly the admin side and that has been done, we finished 11th this year with a very young team with some narrow defeats included only just behind Cas. We've snared a few good ones and in two years time we could be Champs again, that's how youth RL works.

Therefore you're expecting 'Good' or 'Outstanding' in next years review?

If that's a serious question rather than a wum. Imo I'd expect us to go back up to good in next years review. We dropped down a grade mainly due to the departure of Ryan Hudson and the gap between Richard Kelly being appointed Head of Youth.
Things must be moving in the right direction with 2 players in the England Academy team this year.

For the record the RFLs assessment read:

“Wakefield Trinity was deemed “needs Improvement” in the assessment by the independent accreditation. There have been wholesale changes within the clubs staffing structure resulting in some disruption to the programme. However, this has been addressed and the process of building and progressing the new systems that will take the club forward is underway. The new programme has the full backing of the clubs owner who is both committed and passionate about strengthening the pathway for locally based players to excel. The new philosophy and culture will take time to embed, but there are some very good practices already being adopted.