Re: Proposed academy changes next year. : Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:20 pm
Rogues Gallery wrote:
I know. As I said I was playing devils advocate. I agree with your statement regarding Rugby Union, they must be clapping their hands.
It was ridiculous enough that the U18's didn't play all teams, i.e Wigan didn't play Wire but played Sheffield.
What I would have liked to have seen is what we had a few years ago at U18 level. A qualifying competition of say 6 to 8 rounds (Lancashire and Yorkshire) and then split the teams into two competitive divisions for the remainder of the season.
Wigan U16 team this year is probably the best club junior side I have ever seen, but would I really want them playing against 19 year olds next year on a regular basis, no. But if they don't where are they going to play? As you say Union clubs will be watching with interest.
It was ridiculous enough that the U18's didn't play all teams, i.e Wigan didn't play Wire but played Sheffield.
What I would have liked to have seen is what we had a few years ago at U18 level. A qualifying competition of say 6 to 8 rounds (Lancashire and Yorkshire) and then split the teams into two competitive divisions for the remainder of the season.
Wigan U16 team this year is probably the best club junior side I have ever seen, but would I really want them playing against 19 year olds next year on a regular basis, no. But if they don't where are they going to play? As you say Union clubs will be watching with interest.
I would have to agree with most of what Rogues has said here. Personally I feel quite disturbed by these proposals as they appear to be a 'levelling down' of all our clubs junior program, all in the name of keeping costs down. We are bound to reduce the number of talented juniors coming into the game, and surely this is one of our most important objectives ?
I am awaiting more information on how this will all work ( and hoping it was a pet plan of a certain RFL chairman who has now moved on), but it doesn't look good.