Yes, business carries on whether the team is at the ground or not.
See that Wire are to strengthen ties with local amateur clubs.
That should be our line too, in lieu of an Academy! Anyone playing RL in Widnes should feel part of our club.
The local amateur coaches should be encouraged to pass on the names of young players who show promise so Widnes can interact with them ie invite them to train with the squad
Absolutely! I get the impression that somehow the club pushed the amateur game away over the years rather than fostering it. I maybe totally mistaken, I hope so!
Widnes do not involve any local coaches / players from the amateur scene, it’s common knowledge among the amateur game, hence the coach being told who he has to have on his staff, it’s a closed shop. I know of experienced coaches including ones who are level 3 with pro experience offering their services voluntary and the club isn’t interested.
Not a dig as they must not want to go down that route, not saying there is a Shaun Wane in our town but he started at Wigan on scholarship / academy on peanuts, can’t buy passion for your hometown club in my opinion.
Was that always the case or just the view adopted by our past managers?
Wasn’t Dave Rolt head scout for years ? I think he had / has pretty close ties with the junior and local amateur clubs ? Maybe that’s what’s needed now - a good (amateur) scouting system ?
Thats my point RV. I would be astonished if our present Board were anti- amateurs. I know when SOC took over he resisted outside involvement but that was then.
Talking to young Mr Rolt a couple of years back I’m sure he mentioned that Roger Harrison was President of the Widnes junior (U-11’s) team - I think you are right Sandgroper in that the club, by and large, is aligned to the junior / amateur game
I should have added that Dave and I played in the same St Bede’s and Wdnes U-11 teams coached by Roger about a million years ago but hadn’t see each other for years as I live ‘darn sarf’
Well RV we all have our cross to bear! With the general cuts from Sky- SL -CHampiinship - Academy many clubs will have to look harder and maybe closer to home.
My logic would be to look for a 'Fortress Widnes'if you like 'us against the rest'. It all hinges on the community club base but doesn't need masses of money.
Get the council and local clubs/pubs involved too. I can remember when, as a council employee, subs to the Widnes lottery (iirc) were taken out of my salary at source. Graeme West sat in our canteen chatting and signing people up! So it can be done!!
Absolutely! I get the impression that somehow the club pushed the amateur game away over the years rather than fostering it. I maybe totally mistaken, I hope so!
Tbh I don’t see why clubs need academies anyway, has player development improved since the inception of academies in the 90s? No. Why can’t players at 16 sign apprenticeship forms at 16, only say 4 or 5 of the most talented players then allow them to train with first team and maybe have a amateur A team, competing in the conference?
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There has to be a way, there was before SL! The old A Teams were development units with old stagers playing alongside youngsters, on the field coaching and looking after the youngsters.
It was a great way to allow older players to put a bit back into the game and enjoy it.
Absolutely! I get the impression that somehow the club pushed the amateur game away over the years rather than fostering it. I maybe totally mistaken, I hope so!
Tbh I don’t see why clubs need academies anyway, has player development improved since the inception of academies in the 90s? No. Why can’t players at 16 sign apprenticeship forms at 16, only say 4 or 5 of the most talented players then allow them to train with first team and maybe have a amateur A team, competing in the conference? f
I think it's probably more scholarships that are the problem. I think having an Under 18s for pro teams works. But having Under 16s and less just takes players away from amateur clubs. That then leaves the remaining players disillusioned because their team has been made worse having lost their best players and also through disappointment that all their mates have been taken on professionally but they haven't. That then means they are lost to the game; and then when the players on scholarships don't make it, they are left disillusioned to and they're lost to the game as well.
Not every player needs to be a top Super League player. What rugby league needs is a wider player pool and greater participation. This is one of the main selling points of Widnes' academy too - yes, there are no world beaters, but it's still kept the likes of Matt Whitley in the game and given them an opportunity.
I accept your point but I reiterate my view, why do clubs feel the need to sign 18 16 year old from amateur sets up, depleting the amateur game when in fact, they could potentially only sign 3 or 4 of the most talented 16 years old, offer apprenticeship forms and allow me to grow in an “A team” set up.