Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 12:20 pm  

They are Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos, Newcastle Thunder, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors.

No shocks in the Super League clubs listed I suppose. I am slightly baffled as to why clubs who were willing to run an Elite academy setup now aren't allowed to. The likes of Cas and Hull KR have applied for licences but been turned down. Great news for Hull FC and Wakefield/Leeds who will now presumably have a better run of those areas, but I can't see how it benefits the sport?

It's also interesting to see them reject the application from Cas based on the presence of other academies in the area, i.e Wakefield and Leeds, but accept Warrington's. They have Saints and Wigan covering a very small area. Most age groups will only have one or two teams from Warrington in the top division, yet they get Elite status. I'm not suggesting Warrington shouldn't have Elite status, they clearly want to invest in their setup and bring players through, but it contradicts the ruling on Cas.

I also can't see how it allows a level playing field if Cas/Hull KR aren't allowed an Elite academy setup. That will surely impact the strength of their squad, particularly as the disparity with the NRL salary cap means less quality players will be available to import. How is that fair?

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 12:25 pm  

The production line of talent that the Bradford Academy has produced over the years, despite our horrendous rollercoaster, has been absolutely staggering. Trueman, Bentley, Wilson etc all in SL, a few at Hull KR, Internationals in Bateman, Whitehead, T. Burgess etc. We've punched so far above our weight in that regard so to not make the cut is absolutely astonishing to me. I need to read the specific reasons but it's a gigantic kick in the teeth. Why would you effectively close down (we can't self fund it surely) a proven conduit from the community game into the top divisions?

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 12:26 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

They are Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos, Newcastle Thunder, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors.

No shocks in the Super League clubs listed I suppose. I am slightly baffled as to why clubs who were willing to run an Elite academy setup now aren't allowed to. The likes of Cas and Hull KR have applied for licences but been turned down. Great news for Hull FC and Wakefield/Leeds who will now presumably have a better run of those areas, but I can't see how it benefits the sport?

It's also interesting to see them reject the application from Cas based on the presence of other academies in the area, i.e Wakefield and Leeds, but accept Warrington's. They have Saints and Wigan covering a very small area. Most age groups will only have one or two teams from Warrington in the top division, yet they get Elite status. I'm not suggesting Warrington shouldn't have Elite status, they clearly want to invest in their setup and bring players through, but it contradicts the ruling on Cas.

I also can't see how it allows a level playing field if Cas/Hull KR aren't allowed an Elite academy setup. That will surely impact the strength of their squad, particularly as the disparity with the NRL salary cap means less quality players will be available to import. How is that fair?

It doesn't, it's idiotic.

However on the flip side, what's to stop Wakefield from creating a player for three years only for Cas to come in and outbid us at the end, very likely, especially if he is a Cas lad.

I assume we get compensated, if not we are just saving other teams the cost!

To me it just looks poor whether you got a licence or not, baffled!

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 12:35 pm  

vastman wrote:

However on the flip side, what's to stop Wakefield from creating a player for three years only for Cas to come in and outbid us at the end, very likely, especially if he is a Cas lad.

That's our yearly experience at Bradford. We inevitably lose the very best of our Academy talent to SL clubs. For a time Huddersfield hoovered them up, but they end up all over the place. Whilst we lose some, we also keep plenty so the net result for Bradford and the whole game is positive. Which is why not giving us a licence seems peculiar.

[Bullseye]

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 12:52 pm  

Small time tin pot decision from an increasingly small time and tin pot sport in this country.

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 1:22 pm  

Words fail me with this inept bunch of idiots who apparently run this sport

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 1:26 pm  

So fans of the clubs not given a licence now deem them to be inept?

Maybe, just maybe, your setups aren't good enough?

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 1:32 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

Maybe, just maybe, your setups aren't good enough?

Well speaking for Bradford - the proof is in the pudding. We churn out talent from our Academy. If that's not good enough then you have to ask what is?

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 1:43 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

So fans of the clubs not given a licence now deem them to be inept?

Maybe, just maybe, your setups aren't good enough?

After the City of Hull Academy was dissolved, there have been numerous youngsters who have chosen hull KR over Hull FC, Huddersfield, Wakefield etc because the setup and chances to play were deemed better. But if you want to make an assumption based on a decision by a governing body who have a track record of making inept decisions then crack on.

Re: Elite Academies : Fri May 21, 2021 2:00 pm  

Given that I believe at least half of the clubs in SL have at least 1 Bradford academy player in their 1st team, it boggles the mind as to why the Bulls have been refused a license.