Interesting thread on the VT here about dual-registrations [url=http://viewtopic.php?t=418790here[/url. It got me thinking about what team Cas could tie in with.

The obvious suggestion is Fev, but I'm sure their small man syndrome would never allow them to work with Cas for the benefit of youngsters. I think it would be very valuable for developing young talent before throwing them into SL too soon, but who - if not Fev - would be willing and suitable?

How about Gatehead?

2 reasons,

1. We already have alink up with the due to loan signings.

2. It would look good if we were helping out a team in the areas the RFL are looking to develope.

Both good points...plus i actually like gateshead

I like that idea a lot

Though not confirmed officially anywhere, the link with Gateshead does seem to be happening. For instance, Rhys Clarke moving to Cas on a 1-month loan to play for our reserves. www.thunderrugby.com/news_article.php?id=181 Quote Thunder Chief Executive, Rod Findlay, commented: "We're really pleased that Rhys agreed to sign for 2010 and that Castleford have taken him for a month as part of our overall partnership with them. Obviously we want players to commit to us before we let other clubs see the talent that the North East is producing!'" Then of course Cording, Walker, Massey, England, Arundel have all gone in the opposite direction this year. I suspect with the changes to the junior structure next year we'll see as many as 5 players at a time in the North-East.

Though not confirmed officially anywhere, the link with Gateshead does seem to be happening. For instance, Rhys Clarke moving to Cas on a 1-month loan to play for our reserves. www.thunderrugby.com/news_article.php?id=181 Quote Thunder Chief Executive, Rod Findlay, commented: "We're really pleased that Rhys agreed to sign for 2010 and that Castleford have taken him for a month as part of our overall partnership with them. Obviously we want players to commit to us before we let other clubs see the talent that the North East is producing!'" Then of course Cording, Walker, Massey, England, Arundel have all gone in the opposite direction this year. I suspect with the changes to the junior structure next year we'll see as many as 5 players at a time in the North-East.

I actually thought our link with Gateshead had been common knowledge for a while now, I remember reading various things indicating that this partnership was sort of an official thing now,

I personally think it's very good for us, but in the overall scheme of things, can it really be that good for Gateshead?

They get good young players from one of the hotbeds of RL to play alongside their own youngsters, I think that's a pretty good deal.

I'd quite like an official announcement if it is to be official. To often are clubs like Cas and Wakey portrayed as dying heartland clubs, being seen to welcome and support expansion areas for the sport can only be good imho.

But at what cost to their own development? I mean if we are sending our youngsters to Gateshead and bringing them back when they're ready for Super League, then what have Gateshead actually gained? In the short term they may well benefit from having some good quality youngsters in their side but we'll be taking those players back who are good enough and disregarding those who don't achieve what was hoped.

Let's say Gateshead produce a young talent of their own, I assume we will be first in line for taking him away?

Don't get me wrong, I think it can be very good for us, but I also find it worrying that teams from the national leagues may essentially be used by Super League teams as feeder clubs.

What about having Wakefield as your NL1 club

If players are good enough for SL they get snapped up anyway. So it really makes no odds.

It means the overall quallity of the team is improved so the locals and our lads combined play a higher standard of rugby and hopefully improve each other

Also it increases the chance of the team winning so they can increase gates, bring in more cash and encourage more locals to take up the game.

Doncaster ???