That does surprise me,the players are usualy very good with things like that and i know they have attended lots of dos at westhull in the past.

I think you got the better deal by having a genuine legend of the game in Gentleman John on hand to present the awards. That would mean more to me then any current player TBH.

That said I hope West Hull contact FC and let them know the score because I am sure the club would like to know if their players are not turning up for this kind or pre arranged event. Although I did chuckle when last week West Hull told you it was going to be Tom Briscoe presenting the awards!

Make them bleach their hair as a forfeit?

Also people involved in the amateur game should realise that these guys (from both teams) are on a well deserved break at the moment, some even on holiday. People should cut them some slack at this time of the year as it is pretty much the only time of the year that their life is their own.

Was thinking the same TBH. Both teams seem to run holiday clubs etc and both seem to do a lot of work in schools and the community. Don't think either can be accused of shirking their responsibilities in this regard.

The aussies have always been streets ahead in terms of youth development. If Aussie put there 3rd team out they would probably give england's 1st team a good go if not win them. What i think the RFL needs to look at to possibly improve this is to make rugby league at grassroots a summer sport. This possibly prevent games being called off and also the rugby played will be at a better standard with better weather. Also young lads drop out at a younger level because of the freezing weather. I heard people tried to get a petition going to make it a summer sport but I haven't heard anything in regards to changes. any thoughts?

The Summer rugby argument is one i'm in suppor of and have mentioned it on here a few times. It needs to be played in Summer at all levels and ages.

I'm pretty sure that BARLA had a meeting to discuss this a few months back, but I'm not sure what the outcome was.

Same here. Its crazy why they don't convert it to a summer sport. The only reason I could possibly think of why the season is played in winter is because current facilities may already be in use during the summer. Just a thought though.

The change to summer youth rugby would be superb as it would finally get away from the whole bigger is better at youth level and would give the later developers who may be smaller faster player more opportunity to shine instead of some massive kid who started puberty very early playing in thick mud where speed isn't important its all about size.

In my opinion the Hull area has rarely produced rugby league players of international quality.Johnny Whitely (50s), Phil Lowe (60s) add Flash Flanagan, Lee Crooks and Lee Jackson to name 5 in 50 years who have been regular GB picks. Big issue is generally size of a lot of players who have the basic skills but lack the size and strength of a lot of West Riding and Lancashire lads. Not unique to Hull but drinking culture drags a lot down. We just don't seem to have players of the quality of the Tomkins, Eastmonds, Grahams etc coming through. Leeds have built their recent success around Maguire, Burrows and Sinfield - when did we last produce players of their ability ?
Not producing enough SL quality home grown players means we are constantly in a period of short term recruitment having to bring in aging players on big contracts.

should have invited the superfan

FWIW back in the day I think Richard Horne and Paul Cooke suited us just fine and they were equally as devastating when in form (this was proved it in the '05 challenge cup)

...but i agree with your original point and I would put some of that down to quality coaching

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