You read things as you wish, I couldn't give a dam
Who the hell do you think you are demanding answers.
You have no importance, get used to it.
Chissitt, when I want your advice I'll ask for it, butt out

Once again let's all cut out the insults and sniping.

Wouldn't dream of offering you advice squire, just making an observation if that's allowed, thanks for the prompt response by the way

Come on, if you're not willing to argue or discuss what you post, then why post at all. Facebook and Twitter are the places for that, this is a Forum, it's in the name, we debate or that's the idea

I'm not picking on you, I'm open minded. If you can give me a valid rationale on how you'd do better than the club already are I'd say no more. In fact I'd salute you and suggest you e-mailed the club. I've no doubt there are things the club could do better, just tell us what they are and how you'd sort them. I'm a nobody but both MC and JM read these forums, now is your opportunity.

Look Vasty if your constantly looking to argue, if you are going to make a statement make it factual.
I have never ever said I could run the club better, maybe you could show me were I have.
I'm not going through the things I have said because I'm sure you are aware.

I'm not arguing, I'm asking.

I'm not the one who made the statement.

However we are getting nowhere so I'll leave it. Thanks.

Here's where it gets interesting.
It seems that York believe that they are close to being a grade A club.
New ground, plenty of cash and a wealthy backer and then there is Newcastle too, who fit much of the same criteria.

Are these clubs more worthy of a spot in SL than us, Cas, KR or Salford ?

It could all get very messy, especially if at some point, being in close proximity to another SL club, becomes part of the criteria.

Plenty of time and more detail will come but, with the stated aim of "spreading the game", Newcastle and York will gain extra points when they evaluate suitability and London are being mentioned too.

Anyone nervous ?

York don't have an Academy or the off field infrastructure in place, we do. Ditto London and Newcastle though they do have academies but it would be interesting, especially in Londons case, just how secure a deal they have with their landlords.

What this is showing to me is that our BOD's seem to have anticipated what was coming much better than some others - most notably our neighbours over the common.

In fact I'd be furious if I were a Cas fan, because their BOD's seem determined to stick to the principle that on field results alone will save them.

No Academy, a ground that is now quite some way behind ours and IMHO at least five years off happening. Yet they still seem to spend every penny on players - ditto Salford.

I expect to see a number of clubs across leagues hastily setting up academies and joining the reserves comp.

I hope we stay ahead of the game (we are very good in this area) and keep investing in academy and reserves. The academy/scholarship more so as like saints show it ends up benefiting the club and first team substantially over the years.

Cas do have an Academy

They can do that but they won't be elite Academies and come 2027 I can't see the incumbents giving up easily.

No mate, sorry but you have an under 19's and maybe an U17's? But not an elite Academy. There is a big difference. I was surprised you didn't get one but even your own fans say the club stupidly neglected it despite being warned.

Not to say you won't produce some talent from your juniors, Cas is still a hotbed. But because you don't get central funding you won't get the pick and it will cost you directly.

Cas (along with Bradford & Hull KR) were awarded a funded probationary elite licence shortly after the original announcement to cover this year and next with the proviso that if they show progress it will be extended to full term.

Whatever the criteria set for the IMG gradings then by way of fairness they have to be or have been achievable for all parties. For that reason i wouldn’t be surprised if the initial weighting towards academies is quite low, with it becoming a more significant part further down the line. The goalposts have now moved and many of the clubs (York being a prime example) could point at not being awarded an elite licence as an insurmountable barrier to their ambitions that wasn’t a factor previously. If this is held against them it could lead to several legal challenges and a lot of in fighting which is the last thing that the game needs. I’d expect in the first instance an in depth funded plan to introduce development strategies to carry a similar weighting with tough monitoring moving forward as to its implementation. I’ve a feeling ‘planning’ is going to play a big part first up, but those plans will have to be watertight.

Serves me right for reading and believing the RFL website.

So they have a kind of semi elite academy, meaning elite is not quite so elite, only on RL

I’ve just been reading the League Express and there is a an article (bottom right page 3) regarding some clubs backing the IMG proposals, and John Minards is one who Backs the proposal. I would hope the club hold another fans forum to allow MC and JM, to explain the benefits not just for the game but for Trinity in particular, because I, as most on here are Rugby League supporters, we are Trinity Fans First .
Now everyone has taken few days to read and think about the proposals, I get the feeling that he initial good feeling for the idea, people are beginning to have second thoughts.