Academy status : Fri May 21, 2021 4:12 pm  

So RFL don't think we are worthy of Academy status, could have big ramifications for the future.
Also find it strange they pick Wakefield over Castleford.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Academy status : Fri May 21, 2021 9:36 pm  

Fair to say that, while I feel very, very sorry for the lads in the academy and in the scholarship, I’m more relaxed about this than most rovers fans. I think it could open up all sorts of interesting possibilities. But then I probably shouldn’t watch moneyball as often as I do.

However, on reflection I’m not sure that the decision will stand. I think they have misjudged the politics and the messaging is all over the place. It just feels a little bit mini licensing round.

Re: Academy status : Sat May 22, 2021 12:00 pm  

Typical shortsightedness from the RFL
Just coming out of a pandemic we don’t yet know the damage to the wider game.
We could easily lose 8 or 10 clubs, London and Newcastle among them, so why shaft solid stable clubs like Rovers and Cas?
Reactive rather than pro-active the clown college governing body are making it up as they go along and are killing the game in doing so.

Re: Academy status : Sat May 22, 2021 1:03 pm  

Hope not the ground work for a licenced 10 team Super League in 2 years time when the 2 year Sky deal ends.

Re: Academy status : Sat May 22, 2021 1:06 pm  

This decision in my mind immediately raises the suspicion once again of favouritism, and it appears that not for the first time our face doesn't fit certain decision makers. Newcastle and London get elite status..hmmmm, and of course that would never have anything to do with the supposed "expansion" of the game, that's gone well so far hasn't it???...If a totally separate, independent, honourable and fair system shows clearly why we did not get elite status, then so be it, but the club, supporters and fans of other clubs seem to be shaking their head at this decision. Once again, a decision which affects our club in a negative way, potentially long term has been made. Answers must be given as to why, and for the sake of clarity and fairness I would be demanding to see the other clubs successful applications for comparison. No doubt that will not be forthcoming, but if there is nothing to hide, why not?. At the least if it was then obvious it would stop any suspicion of a flawed decision. This also applies to Cas who were also denied. Maybe Newcastle and London are better than us, if so why? Wouldn't trust the RFL to run a raffle fairly and competently.

Re: Academy status : Sat May 22, 2021 4:11 pm  

I am somewhat confused with what I have been reading in different articles, it appears that the clubs decided on 12 elite academies so as not to undermine the grassroots clubs. That is a point I can understand ( the two Hull clubs both running sides taking 50 lads out of the local age group rugby) but why not make us go back to the city of Hull academy? I know they split again by mutual agreement but both Hull clubs are setting up afresh so why do FC get the nod? (it would also be unfair if we got in in preference to FC) I really am at a loss as what the reasoning is. Better have no academies & make all clubs put efforts into junior coaching & take your players from the grassroots club as they need them.
An idea I had was to get the 16 year age group & above back to winter & invite the better prospects a summer camp to receive elite coaching with maybe three or four games for them at a higher level + choosing international age group sides. Whatever happens it has caused a lot of animosity around the game.

Re: Academy status : Thu May 27, 2021 5:08 pm  

Not a fan of Karl Turner at all, however if he is prepared to bat for our club in light of this strange decision by the RFL to deny us elite academy status, good for him. If, as has been mentioned, (and to me seems a fair question) that one of the decision makers that was instrumental in allocating the licences was a supporter of a very close rival club, who were given a licence, does this raise the question of a conflict of interest or not? and shouldn't decisions of this nature be made by totally independent people who do not have close connections to clubs that may benefit from these decisions? Seems common sense to me... The fact that no club (apparently, unless I am wrong) was visited to assess their application, reeks of inefficiency, short sightedness, or both....
Perhaps the story in the HDM of young academy players crying at our ground should be sent to the individuals responsible for this decision which will have consequences, possibly serious, for our club and them personally. Not for one minute do I think it will have any impact on these people who seem to make some very strange decisions that supporters and clubs often shake their heads at in disbelief.
If this decision to deny our club elite status is not overturned, is it due to finance or not?? and if the answer is really due to allocation of funds, how much would it cost our club to raise the funds themselves to run their own version, and is that an option? As a lifelong supporter, it sticks in my craw to be "in my opinion," to be shafted once again, by the RFL.... If it helps, put collection tins/buckets/whatever out at games and I will contribute, not saying it will solve the issue, but if it helps in any way, I for one will do it.
Clarity please for this decision, and this decision should be assessed by an independent panel/body...If it was fair, so be it, and the club must live with it...However, questions need answering.

Re: Academy status : Thu May 27, 2021 7:48 pm  

Having listened to Rimmer on SKY tonight, I am even more worried. I may have misunderstood but he was saying that we can run an academy but it won’t have elite status? What does elite status mean? Will any lads that stay with us be allowed to play representative games/ overseas tours? Who will they play & in what competition?
Will the best local lads even come to us
We will be back where we were before the return to super league, losing kids to FC. & as I have said before why was FC academy chosen above ours as until last year it was a joint set up FC is no more established than ours. Worrying times.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Academy status : Thu May 27, 2021 8:23 pm  

Beverley red wrote:

Having listened to Rimmer on SKY tonight, I am even more worried. I may have misunderstood but he was saying that we can run an academy but it won’t have elite status? What does elite status mean? Will any lads that stay with us be allowed to play representative games/ overseas tours? Who will they play & in what competition?
Will the best local lads even come to us
We will be back where we were before the return to super league, losing kids to FC. & as I have said before why was FC academy chosen above ours as until last year it was a joint set up FC is no more established than ours. Worrying times.

The RFL have suggested to/reminded clubs that they can still have development academies, which would play against teams from further education colleges.

While I have nothing but respect and admiration for the people involved in those colleges and development academies and it is a good option for some clubs (I’ve seen Barrow Raiders highlighted as an example), I don’t think it would be a good fit for Hull KR’s current circumstances.

The danger was always going to that the decision would be based on elite players produced over the last few years, rather than promise for the future and of a fresh start. Unfortunately, Hull’s record isn’t very good but ours is worse and we’ve all seen how easy it can be to scoff at promises when it comes to improving or replacing stadia in the Calder region, for example.

On the terms of this decision and within RFL defined guidance and parameters, Hull KR will be shafted if the decision isn’t reversed. However, as I said earlier, I think it could open up other opportunities if leadership at the club are open to them.

Re: Academy status : Thu May 27, 2021 8:57 pm  

Agree with all that, except FC academy has not produced one player since it was formed last year the same as ours. What happened before the joint academy is irrelevant they are both completely new set ups now so why is ours not as good?