Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 10:42 am  

Genuine question.
What will the choice be for youngsters who dont come through the new academies.
Must they come either from these "new" academies or direct from the amateur game or, will clubs still be permitted to run "academy" sides ?

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 11:40 am  

Looks on the surface decision for keeping the status quo. With top teams getting first pick on young players. With a couple of expansion areas added on. Always the same in RL. So what is the path for teams without Elite Academies are they just going to be picking up the academy players that the Elite clubs don't want. One of RLs problems is we have not real upsets or challenges to the status quo because of the structures in place. So we don't get stories like Leicester in football and why so few teams have won the grand final.

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 1:03 pm  

I haven't really read the pros and cons but will this do anything to increase player participation?

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 3:22 pm  

puroresu_boy wrote:

I haven't really read the pros and cons but will this do anything to increase player participation?

Some one on Facebook has set up a petition and upto now nearly 5000 people have signed I have

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 3:30 pm  

Leyther14 wrote:

Looks on the surface decision for keeping the status quo. With top teams getting first pick on young players. With a couple of expansion areas added on. Always the same in RL. So what is the path for teams without Elite Academies are they just going to be picking up the academy players that the Elite clubs don't want. One of RLs problems is we have not real upsets or challenges to the status quo because of the structures in place. So we don't get stories like Leicester in football and why so few teams have won the grand final.

Absolute nonsense.

Salford could have challenged the status quo but instead Marwan just decided to keep arguing with the RFL. Then again.....they've made 2 of the last 3 finals.

You could argue that Warrington (no league title since 1955) have challenged the status quo by winning the cup and making grand finals. Their owner is spending money.

Castleford came close in 2017 and are one of the top 6 clubs.

As usual, the fans and owners of the "lesser clubs" whinge and moan about everything rather than doing anything about it with their clubs.

If Wakefield and Castleford are kicked out of SL because they still haven't built the stadiums they promised in 2010 or whatever it was, will they go out to build one and improve both themselves and the game? No, they'll moan about how the RFL is inept. Top level of the game showcased on tv played at a stadium that would look a dump in non league football.

Too many clubs in rugby league happy to tread water and take from the tv money but then cba to do anything to promote themselves or the game.

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 5:28 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

Absolute nonsense.

Salford could have challenged the status quo but instead Marwan just decided to keep arguing with the RFL. Then again.....they've made 2 of the last 3 finals.

You could argue that Warrington (no league title since 1955) have challenged the status quo by winning the cup and making grand finals. Their owner is spending money.

Castleford came close in 2017 and are one of the top 6 clubs.

As usual, the fans and owners of the "lesser clubs" whinge and moan about everything rather than doing anything about it with their clubs.

If Wakefield and Castleford are kicked out of SL because they still haven't built the stadiums they promised in 2010 or whatever it was, will they go out to build one and improve both themselves and the game? No, they'll moan about how the RFL is inept. Top level of the game showcased on tv played at a stadium that would look a dump in non league football.

Too many clubs in rugby league happy to tread water and take from the tv money but then cba to do anything to promote themselves or the game.

Can’t speak for Castleford, but Trinity are already in the process of redevelopment of Belle Vue,. The club house has been considerably upgraded ready for the upper floor being made into a community gym and coffee house, lower floor, into community changing rooms, showers, and office space. This week has seen the replacement of the first of the four Floodlights with up to date technology. The planning application for the new East Stand is due to be heard shortly. Small steps that’s taken years, but at the end of this season, we should see the demolition of the old East stand, and upgrade to the North stand. Only fly in the ointment at the moment is the possibility of relegation from SL.

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 5:31 pm  

Dunkirk Spirit wrote:

Can’t speak for Castleford, but Trinity are already in the process of redevelopment of Belle Vue,. The club house has been considerably upgraded ready for the upper floor being made into a community gym and coffee house, lower floor, into community changing rooms, showers, and office space. This week has seen the replacement of the first of the four Floodlights with up to date technology. The planning application for the new East Stand is due to be heard shortly. Small steps that’s taken years, but at the end of this season, we should see the demolition of the old East stand, and upgrade to the North stand. Only fly in the ointment at the moment is the possibility of relegation from SL.

Hopefully it continues

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 5:39 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

Absolute nonsense.

Salford could have challenged the status quo but instead Marwan just decided to keep arguing with the RFL. Then again.....they've made 2 of the last 3 finals.

You could argue that Warrington (no league title since 1955) have challenged the status quo by winning the cup and making grand finals. Their owner is spending money.

Castleford came close in 2017 and are one of the top 6 clubs.

As usual, the fans and owners of the "lesser clubs" whinge and moan about everything rather than doing anything about it with their clubs.

If Wakefield and Castleford are kicked out of SL because they still haven't built the stadiums they promised in 2010 or whatever it was, will they go out to build one and improve both themselves and the game? No, they'll moan about how the RFL is inept. Top level of the game showcased on tv played at a stadium that would look a dump in non league football.

Too many clubs in rugby league happy to tread water and take from the tv money but then cba to do anything to promote themselves or the game.

Castleford have NOT been allowed to have an ' elite ' Academy.
Neither have HULL KR who are improving their stadium.

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 6:08 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

I didn't see that reason anywhere

Has that reason been published by the RFL or is it a guess?

I doubt London was simply about location. London have been doing a good job with player development.

Re: Elite Academies : Sun May 23, 2021 6:55 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 is my opinion that all clubs playing in Super League should have academies and so should those in the championship who aspire to play in Super League. I can't comment on why certain clubs bids were rejected for academies as i don't know what all the criteria was, but perhaps it's a money issue. Perhaps the RFL thought they would go for quality over quantity, but i don't know. Personally i think the more academies we have the better as it increases out playing base.
On a positive note i do see that all Super League teams must have reserve sides next season which a agree with.