Reserve grade under 23s : Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:13 pm  

I think it was july In telegraph and argus when ferres said he would like this. IMO this is the best way to create quality players and retain youth. I know too many players who have been dropped by our academy because they are too old and not developed yet. Where as two more years and could be ready for first grade. Instead we will only retain 3 players. Lets make a real effort to mention this to the Bulls at the next fans forum. I know players who haven't been picked up and have lots of potential and others who haven't developed yet. Lets not lose another generation of stars. Youth is what is needed to get our club back to where it should be.

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 5:45 am  

Well as it stands, once you hit 19 that's you done if you've not made the grade for the first team. Now, the RFL will tell you that this is a good thing as it means teams can't hog youth players, but really it just means we're losing players to the game and when we've already got a very small talent pool in this country to start with, losing any player out of the system should be considered a tragedy.

[Bullseye]

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 8:16 am  

For us it depends if we go up. If we're promoted then Ferres and Green will consider it. If not then I can't see it happening yet at the Bulls.

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:15 am  

Bullseye wrote:

For us it depends if we go up. If we're promoted then Ferres and Green will consider it. If not then I can't see it happening yet at the Bulls.

I think it would be better doing it if we don't go up. We can clearly afford to pay more than the £1million salary cap, might as well use the extra money we have running a reserve grade IMHO.

[Bullseye]

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:36 am  

We can't afford it if we stay in the championship.

[Bullseye]

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:38 am  

It costs about 100k to run a reserve grade. Might not seem much but it's apparently out of our reach at the moment. 1st grade is the no1 priority.

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:32 am  

I think this a great idea. It was always too big of a jump from under 19s to first team, apart from odd one or two. Next season my lad will be too old for the under 19s and I would say this is exactly what he needs, although Leeds are against the idea of a under 23s at the moment, hopefully that will change if enough teams say they are doing it

[Bullseye]

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:27 pm  

More and more people seem to be coming out in favour of some sort of reserve grade that allows over 19s a chance to play. The details haven't been agreed or anything but I think it will happen provided clubs can afford it.

I know the Academy coaches at yhe Bulls are keen on some form of A team rugby. There is too much wasted talent under the current system.

[Bulliac]

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Wed Sep 02, 2015 2:57 pm  

Problem is the age of 19 - it's too early. Under 21 would be better but that would mean re-organising the junior grades as some of the younger ones currently in U19s would find the jump to U21 a bit steep.

Re: Reserve grade under 23s : Thu Sep 03, 2015 3:00 pm  

There is a championship reserve grade operating already. Fax, rams, fev etc doing it no reason why we cant.