I think is an Under 16s Academy competition. It begins this week but once again Wigan are not involved.

Celtic, Harlequins, Hull KR, Leeds, Salford, St Helens and Widnes have all entered sides.

Ok it lasts only five weeks but do you think we are missing out in not entering this competition? Or is it really a token gesture effort? I've always felt that a club our size should look to enter especially when our biggest academy rivals Leeds & St Helens have continually entered.

I personally think we are missing out, its a great idea that again bridges the gap between amateur and Academy.

Salford invest a lot into this and it shows in there ability to recruit good lads to a slightly lesser light as a club.

I played for Widnes foundation academy and found it to be a fantastic experience. It prepares the young athletes for a professional career and gives them an insight into the professional set-ups.

Wigan IMO are definately missing out here.

I think it's something to do with Wigan and Leigh Service areas that Wigan cannot / do not enter into it.

I played for harlequins foundation academy last year and it really gives you an insight into the professional lifestyle whilst also preparing you physically and mentally for an higher level of rugby.

haven't quite a few 'experts' recently said that our youngsters play too much rugby too early?
maybe that's is behind the decision. another thought is that a few clubs, wigan included, might see how it goes this time round and enter a team next time.

That maybe so, but I'm 99% certain Leigh did have an U16s foundation team a few years ago. I also seem to remember someone saying that Wigan preferred to take the youngsters straight into the U18s squad - something like that, it was 4years ago when I was playing in the U16s

Wouldn't we have to remove the best/all Wigan players from the Wigan & Leigh service area to compete in that?

That was what I was alluding to.

It shouldn't have anything to do with service area.

There are no Service Area Teams at U16's. That is partly the point of the Foundation Academy.

It may be a good experience for the lads involved in it, but even at under-16 you can't say who is going to make it or not and there is the possibility that it cuts down the pool of players with potential available. i.e. they may believe that they are never going to make it unless they get in these foundation squads, which simply isn't the case with some young players

yes but there are service area teams at 12's, 13's, 14's, 15's. at under 16's the players are doing gcse's and then straight after that get signed up properly by the clubs. there isn't really any need for the extra rugby

Wigan I believe have just signed a young player from a club "very close" to Wigan.

His cub only offered him a "foundation" place, Wigan have offered him a full scholarship.

I believe that the chairman of the "other club" is not best pleased.

then thats bad organisation imo.
the clubs need to be liaising with the education depts to ensure there are no clash of interests.
most kids who want to succeed are studying for gcse's at u12, u13, u14, and u 15, so all it needs is a short break during and leading up to exams and then u16s can go ahead.

the ECB do it.
I have kids playing cricket at county level and NO matches are arranged during SATS weeks, or EXAM weeks.
If the ECB can be bothered doing it, im sure the RFL are capable of doing it.