Club Statement From Leigh Centurions

Leigh Centurions can confirm the decision has been made by the Board of Directors in conjunction with the coaching staff not to run with a Reserves team for the 2016 season.

Reserves Head Coach Paul Anderson met with the Reserves players this evening to outline and explain the decision.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont has issued the following detailed statement. Mr Beaumont said: “I would like to start by thanking all the players who worked hard for our Reserves last season along with all the backroom staff, not least coach Paul Anderson and team manager Don Boyle who worked tirelessly on their behalf.

“The Reserves have had two good seasons since I returned to the Club, winning the league on both occasions and the grand final last year, only to narrowly miss out in the dying seconds of this year’s grand final and everybody associated with that should be extremely proud.

“Unfortunately, without being disrespectful, the competition didn’t really have enough teams and it was hard to make a complete season. The reserves area is currently in transition with some of the Super League clubs looking to run with the old style reserve team structure. We have been involved in discussions relating to this and were honoured to be invited to compete within that format. However, that will be an extremely tough competition and one that at this present time we couldn’t do justice.”

Mr Beaumont added: “The alternative to that, continuing as this year, wasn’t an option that we felt provided us with what we would have needed, in particular bringing back rested or injured players. A number of our reserves players have attracted attention from Championship and Championship One clubs who are offering them contracts and it would be wrong to prevent them from taking those opportunities to play a higher level of rugby.”

Mr Beaumont went on to explain that the decision had been reached after discussions with the coaching staff of Head Coach Paul Rowley, Assistant Coach Neil Jukes and assistants Paul Anderson and Simon Finnigan.

“We discussed this as a group, myself, Rolls, Jukesy, Finny and Ando and all agreed it was best to take a year out whilst we focus our energies on getting to Super League where we can build a platform to set up some solid structures to bring players through,” Mr Beaumont said.

“I am fully aware of the need to build a Club from the bottom up with academies and scholarships and internally we are assessing the viability of the three RFL academy structures moving forward. As an aspiring Championship club knocking on the door of Super League we need to assess the best medium to long term pathway, rather than ticking a short term box which has often been proven to limit the development of our younger players whilst also hindering the local community game which is so important to us.

“If you get relegated from Super League there is a protection where you can continue with the format so that has to be our primary focus. Irrespective of our central funding for next year this was our decision in the best interests of the Club.

“The youngsters we felt were the most promising in terms of making our first grade were given full-time contracts and are on loan where we maintain an interest in them. To this end Cameron Pitman, Chris Hankinson and Jamie Tracey are all on season long loans to Barrow Raiders in 2016. We will certainly keep our eyes on those players that now have to look elsewhere and those that have already been offered contracts in the professional game.

“Sometimes in life and business you have to take tough decisions that won’t always be popular but what is important is that you make the right one for the business at that time, removing all emotion and that I believe is what we have done on this occasion. As for Ando, well he will remain in his position in the coaching team with the first grade and spend more time on that aspect of the business whilst keeping in touch with the reserves level at Super League and if one continues in the Championship. That way when we are in a position to field a Super League reserves side he will be very much still well connected at that level.”

Mr Beaumont concluded: “That leaves me just to thank the sponsors of our Reserves who have been very committed and supportive and to also thank all our supporters who turned out in numbers on a regular basis to cheer the boys on. In both our grand finals we achieved crowds that would be the envy of some Championship clubs for their first grade and that is testament to the true depth of our support.

“We have a very exciting year ahead of us and are very aware of what is required of us, having gained the experience this year. I believe the energy towards the first grade and the signings that we have made will pay dividends in enabling us to then build a Reserves team to compete in the higher league. Thank you for your understanding and continued support and respect to all concerned.”