36 replies to this topic

[Andy Knight]

The Knights have fixed a friendly up with Cas away 2oclock ko this Sunday the 9th.
This has just been posted on the Cas site.

[KNIGHTS2009]

CASTLEFORD TIGERS WILL FACE YORK CITY KNIGHTS ON SUNDAY 9TH JANUARY AT THE PROBIZ COLISEUM, KICK OFF 2PM.

I take it that is the ground known or used to be known as the Jungle not Cas Panthers or Cas Lock Lanes ground??

[Andy Knight]

Yes, renamed.
Can't wait.....League at last fingers crossed!!

[Spanish Knight]

Looks like Cas are putting out a strong side.

[Gary Coyle]

Ill be covering the game

[Spanish Knight]

Ill be covering the game

Take plenty of pics; please Gary.

[Gary Coyle]

Take plenty of pics; please Gary.

Got to, im also covering it for YCK themselves

[TwoBlues]

Ill be covering the game

Will the Wildcat Dolls be there ?

First time Dave Woods has taken a side to Wheldon Road/Jungle/Probiz Coliseum,since Castleford came to the decision NOT to renew his contract after he guided them to promotion - and a NRC Final !
First time Dave Woods has remained with a club for the year following a promotion with himself at the helm.
Could be mistaken for thinking it may be a certain fella's birthday on Sunday.
Should the Cas fans know that,knowing the esteem in which Dave is held and the high they are currently on with positive news about their stadium and sponsorship,I think Dave may have problems getting to the dug-out for the game and as for a quick getaway after the game he may as well forget it.( The Castleford fans can forget any thoughts about Dave Woods returning to their place when Terry Matterson leaves at the end of the year ! )

Be nice to see Sam Lynch selected and see how he goes.

[KNIGHTS2009]

Richard Mathers making his Cas debut on Sunday.

Castleford Tigers' new signing, Richard Mathers is in line to make his debut for the club in this Sunday's friendly against the York City Knights at the PROBIZ Coliseum.
Mathers is set to be part of a strong team that has been named by coach Terry Matterson and the full-back is looking forward to getting started:

"I can't wait to play on Sunday and get the Cas' shirt on and have a run around out there with the boys".

The Tigers are now well into their pre-season schedule and Mathers has been training with the team in preparation for the new Engage Super League season. He hopes that Sunday's friendly can be used to reflect the team's progress:

"Although you like to win, I think it's important to put into practice what we've been working on in pre-season, getting the cohesion there and building for bigger things down the track".

On a lighter note, Mathers also joked about using the game to make up for a heavy New Year break:

"It'll be good to get out there and have a hit out, and work the mince pies off!".

Terry will confirm the rest of the squad for Sunday's game this Thursday.

Admission at the turnstiles on Sunday will be £10 (adults) and £5 (juniors/concessions).

Transfers to the PROBIZ Main Stand will be £3.

Tigers pre-season schedule

v York (h) - Sunday 9th January - 2pm

v York (a) - Sunday 16th January - 3pm - (Under 20s)

v Batley (h) - Sunday 23rd January - 3.30pm

v Hull FC - Sunday 30th January - 3.30pm

Home against Cas U20 the following week.

[KNIGHTS2009]

This game will Kick Off at 2.00pm.

[TwoBlues]

Tigers Find Fertile Land

It would be nice to persuade the youngsters in York to follow the Knights.

[knightsruleok]

Tigers Find Fertile Land

It would be nice to persuade the youngsters in York to follow the Knights.

What right have a West Yorkshire club have in targeting schools, etc that the Knights development team are already involved with? Sounds a bit naughty to me, or is this a linked scheme to involve a Super League Club and bolster youngsters involved with the local amateur clubs?

Replies on a postcard to John Guildford......

[TwoBlues]

What right have a West Yorkshire club have in targeting schools, etc that the Knights development team are already involved with? Sounds a bit naughty to me, or is this a linked scheme to involve a Super League Club and bolster youngsters involved with the local amateur clubs?

I think Wakefield have the community side of things pretty much sewn-up within the Wakefield MDC area,and Featherstone also do some work in that locality,but with community being one of the criteria in the Super League Licensing - ' Commercial, Marketing, Media and Community.' I suppose they have to push the boundaries.

[YCK Fan]

From a playing perspective there is no point in the club appealing to the local kids as the club no longer has a scholarship scheme. If anyone under the age of 18 wants to play for a pro/semi-pro club they have to go to Hull, Hull KR, Cas, Fev, Wakefield or Leeds. It's very sad as it means the Knights will not have youngsters like Ash Winstanley, Kris Brining, Joe Dey and Ed Smith coming through any more, they'll have to get them from SL clubs when they are 18, if they want to come. The only reason to appeal to kids is to get them through the gates on matchdays, and unfortunately if they have been coached by a SL team they are more likely to go there.

[knightsruleok]

From a playing perspective there is no point in the club appealing to the local kids as the club no longer has a scholarship scheme. If anyone under the age of 18 wants to play for a pro/semi-pro club they have to go to Hull, Hull KR, Cas, Fev, Wakefield or Leeds. It's very sad as it means the Knights will not have youngsters like Ash Winstanley, Kris Brining, Joe Dey and Ed Smith coming through any more, they'll have to get them from SL clubs when they are 18, if they want to come. The only reason to appeal to kids is to get them through the gates on matchdays, and unfortunately if they have been coached by a SL team they are more likely to go there.

So why has the scholarship scheme been dropped? Finance reasons or lack of talent?

[YCK Fan]

I believe, from what I've heard from people at the club, it was partly down to the RFL changing the rules about scholarship which has made it very difficult for championship clubs to run a scholarship, and partly a monetary thing. It does make you wonder what the foundation pays for now though, if SL clubs are doing community work in North Yorks and there isn't a scholarship.

[knightsruleok]

I believe, from what I've heard from people at the club, it was partly down to the RFL changing the rules about scholarship which has made it very difficult for championship clubs to run a scholarship, and partly a monetary thing. It does make you wonder what the foundation pays for now though, if SL clubs are doing community work in North Yorks and there isn't a scholarship.

There is still an awful amount of work to do on junior development though and Foundation will pay for that. It was interesting to note the comments from a York Acorn official that York was struggling as a rugby city in general. What would he have said 8 years ago when there was no professional club to aid the survival of the amateur clubs. All the big 3 amateur clubs must have more youngsters playing at various age groups than they did then - I know Heworth and New Earswick do.

[knightsruleok]

Richard Mathers making his Cas debut on Sunday.

Castleford Tigers' new signing, Richard Mathers is in line to make his debut for the club in this Sunday's friendly against the York City Knights at the PROBIZ Coliseum.
Mathers is set to be part of a strong team that has been named by coach Terry Matterson and the full-back is looking forward to getting started:

"I can't wait to play on Sunday and get the Cas' shirt on and have a run around out there with the boys".

The Tigers are now well into their pre-season schedule and Mathers has been training with the team in preparation for the new Engage Super League season. He hopes that Sunday's friendly can be used to reflect the team's progress:

"Although you like to win, I think it's important to put into practice what we've been working on in pre-season, getting the cohesion there and building for bigger things down the track".

On a lighter note, Mathers also joked about using the game to make up for a heavy New Year break:

"It'll be good to get out there and have a hit out, and work the mince pies off!".

Terry will confirm the rest of the squad for Sunday's game this Thursday.

Admission at the turnstiles on Sunday will be £10 (adults) and £5 (juniors/concessions).

Transfers to the PROBIZ Main Stand will be £3.

Tigers pre-season schedule

v York (h) - Sunday 9th January - 2pm

v York (a) - Sunday 16th January - 3pm - (Under 20s)

v Batley (h) - Sunday 23rd January - 3.30pm

v Hull FC - Sunday 30th January - 3.30pm

Home against Cas U20 the following week.

Tigers squad announced.

Richard Mathers, Nick Youngquest, Joe Arundel, Jordan Thompson, Kirk Dixon, Rangi Chase, Danny Orr, Jacob Emmitt, Ryan Hudson, Jonathan Walker, Oliver Holmes, John Davies, Adam Milner, Jack Smith, Sam Orange, Greg Eden, Ryan Brierley, Ben Blackmore, Joe Picketts, Billy Harris, Daryl Clark.

Very strong line up with Mathers, Hudson and Orr included. Should make for a decent crowd and half the profits to York, so lets turn up in droves at only £10 a go.

[TwoBlues]

Very strong line up with Mathers, Hudson and Orr included. Should make for a decent crowd and half the profits to York, so lets turn up in droves at only £10 a go.

Rangi Chase is worth the admission money alone - as is every member of the YCK squad !

[andyacko]

Chase won't be if Ezo puts a hit on him like he caught Roden with in the final !!