The clubs had the opportunity to vote for a 14 team SL a couple of years ago, I believe you guys voted against it

Was always an advocate for a 14 team league, but seeing how poor Trinity are along with Hull FC and Cas stinking the place out too I can now see the quality probably isn't quite there.

Exactly, just isn't enough 'good standard' super league players

But the only way to increase this player pool and talent pool is to have more top tier clubs with mandatory academy and reserve leagues creating that pathway to elite level sport.

That isn’t a short term thing. That’s a 5- 10 year plan.

Absolutely agree with you, just at this moment in time there isn't enough in the talent pool. An academy with a proper reserve comp is a must for me going forward

100% this. Trouble is beyond the elites, SL Club chairmen won't (or can't) think long term. They are skint and any threat of diluting Sky Money (which is what it was let's be frank) is just not going to float on their watch.

I would ask if we were one of these clubs striving for their chance in SL how would you feel about keeping a team like Wakefield in. We have had 25 years and during that time jumped from financial disaster to being just surviving being kicked out of the league and in the majority of years just bouncing along the bottom. In the grand scheme of things not a great resumé so maybe it is time to give another team a go.
I am not happy about it but we have only ourselves to blame.

.....But better than teams that have been in SL and have never been in it again since.....

Statistically there are less and less juniors playing rugby league. I’m pretty sure it’s dropped by 1/4 in the last 10 years. This will have and is having a huge impact on the quality of players coming through for sure. We can have as many SL teams as we want, but the quality will be even worse.

But if the pathways aren’t there up to elite level where lucrative careers can be made then there will be reduction at youth level. The issue for me is pathways and the whole structure and investment levels need reviewing.

It may not be there short term but again there will be more opportunity for elite level sport/academy so there will be natural growth over time. Citing only leads to further reduction in my opinion.

For me, the cycle for pathways for top teams like Wigan, St’s Leeds et al are already there, with the amount of players they churn out. it’s the likes of the less financed teams like us that will struggle, especially if the Grass roots levels are getting smaller.

All that Sky money over the years, and where as the majority gone?
Into players pockets.
Be interesting to see how much as actually gone to grass roots