I'm afraid it's all going down the pan.

Is it a coincidence that the clubs are looking to cut costs in the same season that the marquee player rule comes in?

The article on the website doesn't state the reasons for doing it in the first place, or exactly how this 'initiative' will deliver what it says it will.



How do they expect to get the fans to back it when it's shrouded in mystery?



What if the drafted player doesn't want to represent the club that picked them? How does it work salary-wise - will they be palced on an agreed starting salary, could they earn more at the other club?



The problem doesn't seem to be the academy up to U19 level, the problem is turning these lads into Superleague players, how will this fix that issue?



The next step will be a combined foundation I expect.

Shocking! Just another example of the club being run on the cheap. And a 'draft' system for deciding what club a youth player graduates to is all well and good until a really top prospect shows up and you can imagine the fight between the two clubs as to who signs him on



Pretty much done with this club, Pearson has ripped the heart out of it!

What annoys me even further about this initiative, is that the best academies (Saints, Wigan & Leeds) have their academy lads immersed into the clubs culture form the day they're signed up.



They're nurtured around the first team, familiar with their style of play & what's expected of them at that club, so that when they step up to the first team they slot in seamlessly.



How's the halfback academy coming along?

They may end up with a mixture then, unfortunately it'll probably be our defence and your attack..

Great point made. What a farce.

So, sharing youth players through a draft system.



Not too big a leap to suggest next will be back office resources merger to share resources like office space, accountancy teams, marketing etc.



And next.......

Hard to see anything different.

I'll be honest, if I was a young kid playing rugby in Hull I'd now rather go to West Yorkshire if possible. You'll be the experimental years for an unclear operation, be unsure which first team you're being lined up for, and you won't even get to pull on the black/red & white shirt at the weekend. Might as well go elsewhere and if you make it look for a move later in your career if you really want to play for your team.

Didn't you get approval to be an Elite Academy on your own? What happened to that?

Exactly. Like I said, the Foundation team, which kind of flows into the academy, will be next.



Other than saving a few quid, I'm struggling to see any benefits here.



Plus, the academy lads are losing two intense fixtures out of their calendar. A fixture which goes back years.