DGM wrote:
Glad to hear it.
Why is it odd? Leigh have a 138-year headstart on them, yet don't run an academy, and have the added benefit of being able to draw from the big clubs on its doorstep for young players and some strong amateur clubs. It seems like double-standards from you really to judge them on not having a youth setup. RL in Canada is still very, very young. Give it chance.
Having done a search, Canada RL do have some sort of Junior RL set up. There's an U17 Canadian side, there's a Junior RL Development officer in Ontario. That's all I've found so far, but at least it's on the radar.
Ultimately, in a salary capped sport, youth plays a big part in determining a clubs success in SL. Sustainable growth like Wigan & Leeds usually holds out over short termism. But, that's in SL, and Toronto are League 1, and you know all too well that if you have the money & the enthusiasm, you can get out of League 1/Championship. Basically, it's not a priority for them at the moment, like it wasn't for Leigh last year.
Its not on the radar with Perez,he has nothing to do with Canada RL.His interest in the sport is purely entertainment value on TV Networks.He has no interest in the infrastructure of the game.I hope I eat those words in time,but I doubt it.
I agree its time to move on and sort our own infrastucture out concerning the game.Lets always remember its the Community Clubs that feed the academies without them you have no academy.Again I posted elsewhere 1 player in 17 under the current academies reaches pro status and they will be snapped up by the bigger clubs.Not just a case of having an academy and following the norm,feeding the bigger clubs.That needs to stop.
As for the recruitment strategy of Toronto,you would have had to be there to understand it.We have all moved on,but we'll never forget it for different reasons.
