Re: academy : Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:40 pm  

was going to say the same, the academy has gone full time and a new gym

certainly put some money into the youngster system last few years, hope it pays off in a few years, to follow on from connor, leeming and johnson... dickinson looks next

Re: academy : Tue Feb 17, 2015 6:01 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

The club have also built the new training centre that incorporates everything under one roof, except the field obviously.

The new gym, wrestle area, physio room, changing rooms, showers, players breakout area, video analysis suite etc is all brand new and as good as Wigan or Warringtons.

Good to hear.

Re: academy : Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:29 pm  

Whilst playing a relatively weak, albeit game, side, Farrell and Leeming shone for our academy. It was good to see some running off the ball and options for our hooker. Farrell, though young, is tough with good footwork, handling and kicking. How I'd like to see Robinson emulate Leeming's distribution and dummy half running!

Re: academy : Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:29 pm  

djhudds wrote:

What have we invested? Certainly not money or resources, it survives on a shoestring and the goodwill of volunteers

As has been said, full time players, new gym, plus post-playing career training, playing the same system of playing as the seniors. Huge steps forward IMHO.

However, as has been stated elsewhere, the club does not have the crowds that Leeds and Wigan in order to pay for a large backroom staff so it does rely heavily on the goodwill of volunteers. Care to put your name forward? Or are you already involved and I am doing you an injustice?

Re: academy : Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:46 pm  

Ivor, i do not speak from ignorance things have improved mAsaivly but the club have not backed the Accademy with money, Andy kelly and steve Hardisty have to do the work of 6 men

Re: academy : Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:38 am  

And a great job they do as well. They've been guests of HGSA and came across really positive.

There are also members of the backroom staff who work more hours than their counterparts do at other clubs. Unfortunately this will be the case until our crowds improve. In the meantime, as I seem to be constantly saying at the moment, the more people who volunteer to do a little bit, the better the club will become.

[And I wasn't having a dig at you, djh. If you took it that way I apologise.]

Re: academy : Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:49 pm  

djhudds - I'm not sure how you can say the club hasn't backed the Academy with money. As Ivor has stated, full time players, new gym, plus post-playing career training - you do realise money pays for this, don't you?

It's disingenuous to say the club haven't back the Academy with resources and money - you may disagree on how this has been used, and you may well be right, but that is a different issue. The above changes mark a massive step in the right direction that involves both money and resources. Yes we'd all love to see more invested but without the bigger crowds and the gate receipts and the sponsorship that in turn delivers, we have boundaries we must operate within.

I applaud the club for the direction they are moving in with the Academy - and, on a separate note, highly respect, applaud and hugely appreciate the volunteers and those who work additional hours to support it.

Re: academy : Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:32 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

The club have also built the new training centre that incorporates everything under one roof, except the field obviously.

The new gym, wrestle area, physio room, changing rooms, showers, players breakout area, video analysis suite etc is all brand new and as good as Wigan or Warringtons.

Just out of interest - where is this based?

Re: academy : Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:41 pm  

TBC wrote:

Just out of interest - where is this based?

its on leeds road i think

Re: academy : Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:23 pm  

TBC wrote:

Just out of interest - where is this based?

Back of the Textile centre of excellence on Red Doles Lane