Hi All,

I know this is a rugby league forum and myself am a huge Cas Fan and come from a decent background in Rugby League myself. Iv recently become head coach at our Castleford Rugby Union under 15's side. We today beat Cleckheaton in the quarter finals of the cup to progress and we are really urging new players to come down. We have big sides in the competition with typical Rugby Union backgrounds and us Cas folk are a different breed! If you have a son who may be interested or a grandson, newphew, kid next door or anyone please could you back our cause.

Kindest Regards
Danny

I would never promote RU.

Hate the game.

Amateur RL clubs are crying out for kids.

Unfortunately my friend rugby league in our area is struggling due to clicks within clubs and parents coaching. Also the response of the 'I hate the game' why bother responding? This is the problem sports clubs face of late, you say you wouldn't promote the game so if your son wanted to play Union, would you stop him? Most probably you would and this is the impact parents have on there kids, this is why both codes are struggling in the Wakefield District!

I am delighted if kids play any sport, even RU, rather than, sit about doing nothing and being unhealthy etc.

The RL forum seems an odd place to make the request though.

Shame local cliques have forced you out.

Nothing has forced me out sir, I actually operate as a scout within a professional rugby league club as well as coaching league. The Wakefield district is predominantly a league environment but with how the seasons run we are trying to acquire some league players.

Thank you

Sorry we should be promoting our Amature teams and getting people to play for them, as for playing hate game, union still play at it, I have talked to players from Essex,wales,Northampton and the got told if they play league they would not get picked for their union teams, rugby league as been up against narrow minded union boffs from the split to present day, it as taken decades to grow the amature level game to the rest of the UK, and to Oxford/Cambridge and for that matter the Armed forces/police..
And if I did want my child to play Union it would be for Sandle/Stanley and any other local union club..

No place on here for RU.
I was forbidden to play league at school and over a century of persecution by the RU is hard for me to forget or forgive.

I would like to settle this debate and confusion now, I never intended to upset or annoy anyone with this post. With the seasons running differently it was just a case of people giving it a try. Feel free to lock this topic but again I apologise to anyone I may have offended. I understand this is a RL forum 100% but what I will say is this wasnt an intention to 'pinch' players from our amateur rugby league sides.
Thank you

have to say, this isn't a "when I was a lad" debate.

Kids might not be into football and will have no rugby league over the winter - a guy comes on saying if you're lad likes rugby, let them try union over the winter to give them something to do.

there's no down side to it

No need for an apology or to lock the thread.
Having played both codes and having made life long friends in both, i am 100% in favour of both codes getting together more often at both junior and senior level; as both codes offer something different and an opportunity to play all year round for those that wish to.
Of course some don't see it as a positive, something i pointed out in an earlier thread; and that is up to them.
For me it comes down to what the player wants, not the parent/coach or 100 years of idiocy.
Keep up the good work Danny.

I think the difficulty with this kind of idea comes from the shoddy practices of some amateur clubs; the behaviour of some in relation to 'tapping up' and 'poaching' of young players would put SL clubs to shame and leaves a sour taste in the mouth of those people who run amateur clubs and find their hard work and dedication undermined by some folk who just want to cherry-pick their best players. That suggests that some people are less interested in a healthy, vibrant amateur RL scene in the district and more interested in their own team winning a pot or two.

I'm not for a minute suggesting that the OP had that motivation, but the reality of the situation could explain some of the hostility it was met with.

As it happens, we've looked in detail at the potential to make a reciprocal link with a RU club, but it didn't really go anywhere; partly because the seasons overlap and partly because our off-season only really gives the lads a month off, which they need after a long, hard season.

On that note, we're back in January for strength and conditioning work and some multi-sports sessions; any 12, 13 or 14 year olds who are interested in joining us for next season can get in touch here or through our website, and that includes RU players who want to give RL a go!

I must admit I'm amazed at the hostility this post has raised, particularly when you consider in the near future a move to Newmarket will open up the door for teams like this to not only play there but use the facilites on offer as well. Surely a must when you want the stadium to pay for itself by been the community "hub" for sport in the district ?