I totally agree, we need to get out young players right which in turn will raise the intensity of the competition anyway. The sad thing is we dont have the finances or desire to get kids younger playing the game. (in schools for example)

I'd like to see us working more with kids aged 12-13 about the mental side of the game and diet etc. I think playing the game first and foremost has to be about enjoying it but i think we need to start making it a way of life from an earlier age.

I'm not sure what the answer is around increasing skill and developing decent ball playing halves. (which is a big issue imo)

Its Ok going on about West Hull stockpiling the best players, but ive asked this question before and people have scratched there heads to answer, name the last few West Hull players to make it.

Thats a good point when you compare them to Wigan St Pats who churn players out year after year. Hull signed a good crop from Wests this year and it will be interesting to watch their progression over the next few years, as it will the crop that Rovers signed from Isberg last year.

This article about De La Salle Caringbah Junior RL and their "old boys" ( which include Adam Dykes who's sons are now playing there ) shows the different attitude that the junior clubs have in Oz. Their ambition is to produce professional players that go onto First Grade , SOO and International standards and those players retain an affinity for the club. www.theleader.com.au/news/local/ ... 02763.aspx

This article about De La Salle Caringbah Junior RL and their "old boys" ( which include Adam Dykes who's sons are now playing there ) shows the different attitude that the junior clubs have in Oz. Their ambition is to produce professional players that go onto First Grade , SOO and International standards and those players retain an affinity for the club. www.theleader.com.au/news/local/ ... 02763.aspx

at the age of 16 - 18, maybe a lot of players fall into the temptations of beer, girls, and drugs and night clubs.
its a shame because in the age of the franchise and no relagation i thought more younger kids would be given a shot and a chance to stake a claim in the first teams,
the pressure on clubs to win too, means older more experienced players will usually be picked before a promising kid.

In my primary School we might see someone from FC Community team once a year; conversely we regularly have Union Development Officers in willing to run sessions every week for us. We run a rugby league club which has tournaments every half term, but have never had any local league clubs pitch up to offer support.

Quote ="ChrisH"This article about De La Salle Caringbah Junior RL and their "old boys" ( which include Adam Dykes who's sons are now playing there ) shows the different attitude that the junior clubs have in Oz. Their ambition is to produce professional players that go onto First Grade , SOO and International standards and those players retain an affinity for the club. www.theleader.com.au/news/local/ ... 02763.aspx'" NRL clubs have to prove they have a viable catchment area and that they have a continuous, sustainable development plan, to help introduce youngsters to the game and then to progress to their level. We've spent years p1$$ing around with Colts, Alliance etc etc etc. All without doing anything positive to assist true player development from primary school age, right through to International honours.

Quote ="ChrisH"This article about De La Salle Caringbah Junior RL and their "old boys" ( which include Adam Dykes who's sons are now playing there ) shows the different attitude that the junior clubs have in Oz. Their ambition is to produce professional players that go onto First Grade , SOO and International standards and those players retain an affinity for the club. www.theleader.com.au/news/local/ ... 02763.aspx'" NRL clubs have to prove they have a viable catchment area and that they have a continuous, sustainable development plan, to help introduce youngsters to the game and then to progress to their level. We've spent years p1$$ing around with Colts, Alliance etc etc etc. All without doing anything positive to assist true player development from primary school age, right through to International honours.

It could be argued though that of all the clubs in SL we are one of the most advanced around the criteria you suggest above. If we agree that we are fairly well set up there's somehow a disconnect then between that 1st class set up and the output of the production line imo, particularly in the last few seasons.

The "we" was a royal "we", as in The Rugby Football League

As an aside, West Hull under 8's had their presentation night tonight and neither of the Hull FC players that were due to attend turned up. Luckily, Gentleman John and Rich Fletcher stepped into the breach so the kids didnt miss out. I dont know if it was a breakdown in communication between the Hull FC club and its players but i do know that they are both currently still in Hull. It does nothing to foster links between the pro and junior game.

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?

Possibly. It is a serious subject though. I talked to a coach of another local junior side this morning who are struggling to get a Robin to their night. Think both sides of the city need to realise their responsibilies to the youth game.

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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