U19's

Quote: bellycouldtackle "Its ridiculous that Wakefiled Cas and Fev all run academies. Just look at the Math. Each club needs say 30 players registered at each age group. Each club is scouting from the same area, plus other clubs outside of our area also scout in our area. I remember a couple of years ago Leeds marketing the fact that 8 of one of their age group teams had been selected for England, 5 of those 8 players were from Wakefield based amateur clubs. So let us presume that Leeds, Wigan, Warrington etc sign say 5 players from our area amateur clubs that means that those amateur clubs have to produce 95 players to fulfill the academy requirements of Wakey , Cas and Fev. Now if you list those 95 players you can bet that the notional 5 that sign for Wigan Leeds etc are in the top 10 ability wise. No one can honestly tell me that they think its a good system, players who you would rank from say 40 to 95 ability wise are basically shirt fillers, there may be the odd exception that proves the point. Also once these lads reach the 17 age group ie play for under 19`s then their amateur club losses them so it makes life really tough for amateur clubs to run age group teams passed under 17. The next thing that happens is that loads of players do not get a contract after under 19`s and many of these lads are lost to the game as their dream is shattered. Far better to have one academy for the three clubs with the best 30 players from our region in it. Means players are not been taken away from their amateur club just to fill required spaces. It seems to work in Hull why not in the Calder area.'"

It doesn't work all that well in Hull, both from what I hear and what I see. As Shifty states it looks like being knocked on the head. Its all great in theory then human nature kicks in and tapping up etc starts to take place.