If Wakey get beat by Rovers on sunday, I can see Chris Chester walking away. He looked totally deflated last week.

https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1 ... 99648?s=19

https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1 ... 99648?s=19

I probably disagree with these elite licenses, the game is on its , and the guys at the top table need moving on, the RFL is usually the main culprit, but I think on this occasion it’s a joint decision with Super league.

Don’t get me wrong it’s great for us, and I assume we will pick up all of the best candidates at tender ages, but as a sport in general, wouldn’t we want as many teams as possible to run academy, and reserve fixtures off a level playing field.

I don’t pretend to know all the reasoning behind this decision,

We are nothing without the strength of the complete competition, apparently they denied Cas a license, because of their location and the catchment of other clubs, it can only be Leeds & Wakey.

Yet we see Saints Wire & Wigan all get licenses, location rule not applicable on this occasion.

Hudgel once said, they are not fit for purpose, and he was right.

Try the first 2 criteria for starters....

1. To ensure that Academies are operated sensitively and proportionately to the continuing good health of the Community Game;

2. That the number of players selected for Academies is proportionate to the number of players within the Community Game at the relevant age and that the players selected have a genuine opportunity of progressing into the Super League and National teams;

How does this affect Hudges mission statement to sign all the best local players?

Well thanks for that, so how on earth using those first 2 criteria, are Rovers contravening this,

Lol I never said he was always right.

It's based on the theory that (too many) academies in some areas have severely impacted on the community game.
Two in our area is probably one too many, perhaps.

Also, there was a very strict limit on how many Elite Academies there would be...

"That led to an agreement that a maximum of 12 licences should be awarded – up to nine in “Core Affinity Areas”, up to two in “Emerging Affinity Areas”, and up to one in France."

Well done Hull FC

Congratulations to all at the club . Better luck next time Dobbins.

I have read our own website as well, have you an opinion of your own. Just curious.

Well done to all at Hull FC for acheiving this as well as the other elite clubs.

Commiserations to those that missed out, maybe see you in 2024 x

It seems clear to me that they've applied criteria 2 sensibly. Finite amount of players with a genuine chance to progress in each catchment. Assess the credibility of each potential provider of academy pathways based on evidence not rhetoric. Award elite status on this basis. The club have been working really hard on this for a long time to make sure the evidence was in place for assessment and criteria met. Other clubs in the process have been sat on their hands apparently. A shame but it's not like this was a surprise.

Safe to say FC will reap the benefits of recruiting the best talents in the area, I for one think it's another monumental cock up by the RFL . Every club deserves a level playing field at academy level , it's elitism and only hamstrings clubs for what good reason? I honestly don't understand it, yes tell clubs they need to bring standards up but don't stop their academy's competing as that'll be a lot of young lads chances of going pro now diminished due to playing against poorer opposition and whatever other disadvantages this brings.

https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/stat ... 18018?s=19 Big win for the academy against Bradford 44-8; with a hat trick for Jude Ferreira.

https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/stat ... 18018?s=19 Big win for the academy against Bradford 44-8; with a hat trick for Jude Ferreira.

What does that mean - every club should get the same central funding regardless of how genuine their track record or commitment? Let's not forget some clubs were super quick to sack off reserves when it didn't suit them, and some are spending more effort scouting outside their geographies than providing genuine local pathways to first team. A good thing I think that the panel leader was a former but recent RFL President (and led the Championship selection process too) so will be very familiar with the applicants and big picture.