71 replies to this topic

[clarky1975]

Allegedley the RFL are set to name 53 Strategically located Community Talent Development Clubs throughout the UK.

19 of the 53 set to recieve this status are said to be in the North West & Cumbria.

One NWC Club has recieved notification recently and Barrow Island were awarded this status earlier in the year.

http://www.pitchero....t-c-535184.html

What sort of effect is this going to have on clubs that are awarded this status and those that are not?

Will it not just encourage all the more advanced players, such as Scholarship players to be attracted to one club in a particular area?

These clubs are allegedley going to be promoted and assisted in various ways by the RFL in order to produce a higher standard of youth player.

[Spidey]

Allegedley the RFL are set to name 53 Strategically located Community Talent Development Clubs throughout the UK.

19 of the 53 set to recieve this status are said to be in the North West & Cumbria.

One NWC Club has recieved notification recently and Barrow Island were awarded this status earlier in the year.

http://www.pitchero....t-c-535184.html

What sort of effect is this going to have on clubs that are awarded this status and those that are not?

Will it not just encourage all the more advanced players, such as Scholarship players to be attracted to one club in a particular area?

These clubs are allegedley going to be promoted and assisted in various ways by the RFL in order to produce a higher standard of youth player.

From my understanding, its a reward for the clubs who are regularly producing players to Scholarship and Service Area in the Junior ranks, they want to ensure this production line continue and the kids have the best experience

[clarky1975]

From my understanding, its a reward for the clubs who are regularly producing players to Scholarship and Service Area in the Junior ranks, they want to ensure this production line continue and the kids have the best experience

Sounds as though it is going to start elitism within the Community Clubs though if that is the case.

Players on scholarships or looking to attain scholarship status are likely to be more attracted to the Talent Development Clubs, meaning we could see an almost Elite group of Community Clubs at Junior and Youth level start to emerge.

[thestatman]

I'm sure there are many more criteria other than just producing players. It will reward well run clubs that are striving to be the best not only on the park but off it also.

[clarky1975]

I'm sure there are many more criteria other than just producing players. It will reward well run clubs that are striving to be the best not only on the park but off it also.

But it will differentiate and deliver the perception that some Community Clubs are better than others and also be a catalyst for players and parents choosing to go to a RFL Community Talent Development Club, rather than your ordinary Community RL Club.

Before you know it the Pro clubs will be linking up with the RFL Talent Development Club in their area and it will be the place to be if you want a Scholarship.

Clearly the RFL have already found a set of criteria to differentiate between the Community Clubs and are for whatever reason looking to define which clubs in strategic locations meet the criteria and award them a status that sets them apart from other clubs.

So what next?

All Elite Players and Coaches to one club in each area?

An Elite League for Talent Development Clubs?

Formal links between RFL Talent Development Clubs and SL/Championship Clubs that delivers a continous Elite pathway from the Community game in to the Professional Environment via Scholarship and Academies?

All food for thought?

Edited by clarky1975, 17 May 2012 - 12:11 PM.

[Spidey]

I'm sure there are many more criteria other than just producing players. It will reward well run clubs that are striving to be the best not only on the park but off it also.

Think you're right there. Should go hand in hand really

[tim2]

But it will differentiate and deliver the perception that some Community Clubs are better than others

Some already are better than others.

[Marauder]

Some already are better than others.

So if your best players get sent to Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks Tim do you just pick up the pieces or throw a fukc it in, or have you already been told something we don't know about.

This plan was born 5 to 6 seasons ago, I was phoned during a tea break during a RFL meeting by the then boss at Doncaster RLFC, he had been told that Doncaster Toll Bar was the RFL club of choice to send their service area kids to.

Edited by Marauder, 17 May 2012 - 05:09 PM.

[tim2]

So if your best players get sent to Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks Tim do you just pick up the pieces or throw a fukc it in, or have you already been told something we don't know about.

This plan was born 5 to 6 seasons ago, I was phoned during a tea break during a RFL meeting by the then boss at Doncaster RLFC, he had been told that Doncaster Toll Bar was the RFL club of choice to send their service area kids to.

Been there and had that - and that was when juniors were still in BARLA....

Kids and their parents will vote with their feet anyway if club A is a shambles and club B is well run.

[Methven Hornet]

Isn't this the sort of thing that happens in well-run sports? That you have some sort of recognition for those organisations that meet set standards and become centres of excellence?

[clarky1975]

Isn't this the sort of thing that happens in well-run sports?

Made me chuckle did that!

[Marauder]

Been there and had that - and that was when juniors were still in BARLA....

Kids and their parents will vote with their feet anyway if club A is a shambles and club B is well run.

But if the carrot is dangled of becoming a pro to a kid his mammy and daddy will take them to wherever the nice man from the RFL tell them to go and thats a fact and you know it, I'd say your been there and had that would have been in the same period that I mentioned ?

[tim2]

Yes Jim, but that could happen whether you have these talent development clubs in place or not. The bigger, stronger clubs with better facilities and coaching structures will always attract players. And there will always be people who influence players and parents decisions regardless of rules you may or may not put in place to stop it.

[Marauder]

Yes Jim, but that could happen whether you have these talent development clubs in place or not. The bigger, stronger clubs with better facilities and coaching structures will always attract players. And there will always be people who influence players and parents decisions regardless of rules you may or may not put in place to stop it.

Dare I say that BARLA addressed this problem because some mams, dads or coaches would throw their teddies out of the cot and drag their kids and friends to another club for the silliest of reason’s, this in the past has forced teams to fold because of the shortage of numbers!

Guess what the same mums, dads and coaches would do it again and again leaving carnage behind them.

The RFL will set up the super 53 clubs and my money is on that within a year or two a new tier of super Duper clubs will be added and pin pointed by the local professional club and off course the elite groups.

Let’s not forget this system failed to take shape just a few years ago because BARLA amateur sides would not give up their best players to the amateur club of choice.

Amateur clubs and leagues (Including the NCL) are gradually losing their democratic rights to control themselves under RFL junta.

May I ask a question Tim, “Is your club one of the 53” ?

[tim2]

May I ask a question Tim, “Is your club one of the 53” ?

No, and frankly we didn't deserve to be. We can generate players but last year we had a severe shortage of volunteers and infrastructure that almost caused us to fold. This has improved now but I'm not convinced the game can afford to prop up clubs that can't manage themselves so frankly, I wouldn't have chosen us either. My questions on this scheme are whether 53 is a fixed number forever, what is the actual benefit you get from being a TDC, who scrutinises the existing TD clubs and who advises on what you need to do to achieve the status. I would contend that since they were selected, we have overtaken at least one of the region's TD clubs in terms of infrastructure and ability to generate good quality players.

I share your concerns, Jim, as we are both at unfashionable "fringe of heartland" clubs outside a "big city" and will struggle competing against other sports let alone other clubs in our own sport. We can't whistle up good quality RU players in the numbers they have them in Leicester, Northampton, Coventry and Birmingham.

If you were on the NGB, with a limited budget, how would you distribute the resources you had across the amateur game? Equally to everyone, including the clubs that don't show any willingness or ability to engage and improve?

[Marauder]

No, and frankly we didn't deserve to be. We can generate players but last year we had a severe shortage of volunteers and infrastructure that almost caused us to fold. This has improved now but I'm not convinced the game can afford to prop up clubs that can't manage themselves so frankly, I wouldn't have chosen us either. My questions on this scheme are whether 53 is a fixed number forever, what is the actual benefit you get from being a TDC, who scrutinises the existing TD clubs and who advises on what you need to do to achieve the status. I would contend that since they were selected, we have overtaken at least one of the region's TD clubs in terms of infrastructure and ability to generate good quality players.

I share your concerns, Jim, as we are both at unfashionable "fringe of heartland" clubs outside a "big city" and will struggle competing against other sports let alone other clubs in our own sport. We can't whistle up good quality RU players in the numbers they have them in Leicester, Northampton, Coventry and Birmingham.

If you were on the NGB, with a limited budget, how would you distribute the resources you had across the amateur game? Equally to everyone, including the clubs that don't show any willingness or ability to engage and improve?

Tim it's an amateur sport and not a business for everyone, junior clubs will go to the wall because volunteers at fringe clubs will simply stop volunteering and if that happens your going to get less and less players having a go at Rugby League, I also believe it's a myth about always getting better coaching at bigger heartland amateur/professional clubs. I'm also not really concerned about other sports because I have faith in Rugby League as a sport, my biggest concern is the XBox and Play Station.

[tim2]

I also believe it's a myth about always getting better coaching at bigger heartland amateur/professional clubs.

There will be good coaches at small clubs, that's true.

I'm also not really concerned about other sports because I have faith in Rugby League as a sport, my biggest concern is the XBox and Play Station.

I'm concerned that other sports have better marketing, facilities and structure because that all stops people coming through the doors of an RL club. Talented athletes have a choice of sports.

[Wilber]

I would ask what's the point of Club Mark then?

If you are proficient enough to achieve club mark gold then why would you have to create a new title to say you are run well? Would it not be best to work with the club mark gold clubs and use them as a benchmark to get all other clubs to that level regardless of where the talent comes from.

[tim2]

I would ask what's the point of Club Mark then?

If you are proficient enough to achieve club mark gold then why would you have to create a new title to say you are run well? Would it not be best to work with the club mark gold clubs and use them as a benchmark to get all other clubs to that level regardless of where the talent comes from.

Fair point.

[thestatman]

Have these clubs not always existed in all but name only in the past? I'm think Blackbrook and Wigan St.Pats in the St.Helens and Wigan areas. This hasn't stopped clubs like Thatto Heath, St.Judes, Ince RB among others from developing and thriving. I'm not sure that it has been mentioned anywhere that there would be any limits within a service area to the number of these clubs in any one area.