I wonder how much time Hull FC players spend at local clubs like West Hull?



Many of the "old boys" can be seen in Wigan St Pats clubhouse and on the training field. Even as a seasoned, top international, Sean Edwards was hardly away from the place.



Player development is a two-way street. Pro clubs must do more for the amateur youth clubs than just throw a few quid their way, if they sign any developing talent

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="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="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.