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.

From 2018 prior to the RAF match.
This game will also be the final farewell to outgoing RFL President Air Commodore Dean Andrew, who is from Hull and regularly attends Hull FC matches.