Marquee signing

Quote: Nankivell "All SL clubs have been mandated to have youth development arrangements. But some have been more successful than others. While it is a fact that some clubs have first pick of the crop and that is based on their success, the criteria upon which the youth development arrangements in a club are judged by the RFL are various, and not solely about the activities of the Youth Development department itself.

Alan Hunte, Chris Coop, et al, do a great job, in my opinion. The major criticism the RFL have of Salford's Academy is the disconnect that appears to exist between the Academy and the first team. All Academy products, Fages, Evalds, Hope, J Walne, A Walne, Davidson, Ford, Tyson, Owen all train with the first team. Sort of. There is still an "us and them" mentality about these kids and the, so called, superstars who have been bought in. The path to them becoming regular first team players is anything but clear. Some don't know who or where they will play until, literally, hours before. And while the club buys in players of similar age and ability to themselves, they can't believe their prospects are so good!

I think I mentioned it once before, but on a particular night, Salford, Wigan, Saints and Leeds were playing. My son and I totted up the number of home grown players in each team. Wigan, Saints and Leeds showed 10, 11 and 12. I don't remember which was which, and it doesn't really matter anyway. Salford fielded 2 home grown players!

MK would love to have the support those other clubs attract and some of it is down to there being so many home grown lads. But it's chicken and egg. Show some success, attract enough attention from aspiring young players and you're on your way. The trouble is that Salford is playing catch up and the issue won't be solved overnight.

To those in rugby league who believe that we can invest properly in Youth development AND buy in Marquee players, I would ask where the funding might be found to do both.

To those who believe that the football Premier League is so fantastic, I would ask why our national side is so lamentable. Brazil is nursing its wounds from a disastrous semi final, but as bad as they might have appeared, they still got there, whereas our team failed at the first hurdle. Our rugby league side does the same, for the same reasons.

When we wake up and smell the coffee, we'll realise that we CAN produce high class, competitive rugby league from the talent which is being produced by our amateur clubs. This in turn will lead to bigger crowds and foster greater participation throughout the game. Those benefits will enable a higher salary cap (introduced to try to prevent clubs becoming insolvent, but clearly not meeting that intention) and reduce the attraction of RU and NRL.

And we will have a sufficient pool of players to enable us to beat the antipodeans.'"

Great post that.

"The trouble is that Salford is playing catch up and the issue won't be solved overnight."

Perhaps understandably the Doctor doesn't want to wait. But I agree, we don't want to see Superleague end up like the Premiership where money buys in the best players at the detriment of youth development.