Well, I believe the intention was to have a Category C academy set up - whatever that is - and the possibility of a joint reserve squad with Salford. Not sure how the latter will pan out with Salford seemingly embarking on a cost cutting exercise.

Cat 3 Academies are linked with colleges to spread the cost and to enable the player to gain a qualification , whilst training for pro level sports...
I presume Wig/Leigh..??

Salford can feck off....Local lads wanting to play for Leigh is whats needed...!

Cheers for the info on Category 3.

As for a joint reserve side, I presume the idea was to share the considerable cost, at a time when we are tring to spend on building a SL squad for first team. I believe that is what Hull & Hull KR have been doing with their academy set up?

Hmmmm ... can see how that would be able to spread the cost... be a shame for academy lads tho if they bust a gut all season to get a chance n then have it taken away .be interesting when and how the selection process will start... would suggest pre season for reserves and first team would be more or less same time??? (I could be miles off tho , only guess work )

Why don't they just use Leigh East / Leigh Miners as feeder clubs?

Give a player they like a contract, but then keep them at there ametuer clubs. They'll be playing a better standard of rugby there rather than at college, and you could make them train with the first team once or twice a week.

This makes sense

Not sure how you give an amateur a professional contract then leave them at amateur. There must be rules contrary to that.

I don't see why it can't be done. Amateur will be a better standard than college rugby.

Why reinvent the wheel when we already have established youth clubs, Leigh could pump money into these clubs rather than spending more money on starting a new team playing in a weaker League.

Well first and foremost is Leigh having a squad available for Championship. Surely thats the priority at present. Its one thing pumping money into youth structures,but it does help if you have a first team to start with.

The Championship squad has to be the top priority, but it would also be handy to have something in reserve as back up, for when the injuries (and suspensions?!) start to pile up.

Hmmm ok ... just my opinion so take how u please... they should have had a plan for both stopping in SL and going down well before mpg.... plans have been in place a long time to get academies / reserves back to a structure.so I have heard thru conversations ... an academy will provide the best lads locally...an amalgamation of talent not just from Leigh teams / but say Leigh Hindley etc... ...

Baldy, I can see you're new here,and it seems your main objective here is youth and academy, nothing wrong with that pal,however,you should be shouting at the club, because it might fall on deaf ears here. So instead of just voicing your opinion on here, push it further to the people who/might be able to do something about it.

Very good.

Yes