Quote: BoothferryBoy "The clubs youth development is totally dependent on the strength of the community game. Any one involved in the amateur game at youth level will tell you its in crisis and there is absolutely no attempt by either of the professional clubs in this town to address the low numbers playing the game.
For example you maybe surprised to learn that at under 14 level there are only 6 teams who can consistently raise 13 players. There are another 2 teams that can play an 11 or 9 aside game. In reality there are around 120 boys playing the game at U14 level and a similar amount at U15 level.
How can two SL teams expect to fill their 16s and 19s teams with quality players from a supply chain so small !!
So in reality the youth development spin is just that, spin.'"
That's worrying for sure.
However professional clubs will be more concerned not with where a player comes from but if they can be found, come through the clubs' ranks, and make the first grade. Crooks and Lineham for example are from out of town but they've come through the Hull professional junior ranks and the whole game is talking about them. They weren't in the Hull schoolboy 'supply chain'. That isn't spin at all that's fact. I'm sure the clubs could do more locally but I don't see it entirely down to clubs to get more school kids playing rugby at school. That's a much wider issue where they could help more perhaps.
