Amateur / Pro clubs relationships

[Mark]

Swinton played some of their womens home games at Westhaughton, we did have a good relationship with Folly but Swinton seem to have fallen out with them now and concentrating on South manchester which is disappointing 

[Jill Halfpenny fan]

27 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

Pro- clubs with no elite academy are pretty unlikely to form links with the amateur clubs to bring player through to play for them.

But what they can do is build a good relationship to try to find their fans of the future. Only a small percentage of junior players continue to play into adulthood, and a smaller group still will play professionally, but such pro-clubs might stand a better chance of getting the juniors to attend matches as spectators (for another 70 years) if they are encouraged when young via link ups between the clubs.

Fair point.

[The Blues Ox]

3 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

A lot of young lads move to Siddal from around u14s from other clubs too.

Yeah and their junior teams are massively overcrowded as people would rather get to say their kids are at Siddal rather than them playing regular rugby.

[Tommygilf]

2 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

Yeah and their junior teams are massively overcrowded as people would rather get to say their kids are at Siddal rather than them playing regular rugby.

That's been my experience! Do they still struggle to put out u16s/17s teams though bc all the lads have gone to scholarships by then? 

[paul hicks]

Leeds are very active in the city through the leeds rugby foundation. indeed, they reach out across west Yorkshire and into the likes of Oldham and up to Whitehaven.

the advantage Leeds have is the Leeds rugby foundation which is a registered charity and brings in a hell of a lot of money from the business community of Leeds allowing them to employ a number of community coaching outreach people on a fulltime basis .

let's not run away from the facts though and that is that the clubs with no money can't really do much in the community as they find it hard enough to run a first team. this places like oldham and Whitehaven have been glad of help from Leeds in the past.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY 

[paul hicks]

12 hours ago, 17 stone giant said:

I would have thought so too. I'd be interested to hear suggestions as to why Widnes aren't doing that.

one word.  MONEY

[paul hicks]

4 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

Fax have a pretty poor relationship with Siddal which is a shame as they have likely produced more top level SL players than a lot of other amateur clubs. This dates back to the time Fax were in SL and poor relations back then and since the drop out of SL Siddal now have better relationships with Huddersfield and Wigan.

And indeed, with leeds who seems to sign siddal players every year. 

why do the big super league clubs have better relations is easy. they can put players on a rugby pathway with top clubs who have the time and money to progress those players into the top of the professional game if they are good enough.  really what can a championship club off a very talented young player or indeed that players club.

[Gomersall]

13 minutes ago, paul hicks said:

Leeds are very active in the city through the leeds rugby foundation. indeed, they reach out across west Yorkshire and into the likes of Oldham and up to Whitehaven.

the advantage Leeds have is the Leeds rugby foundation which is a registered charity and brings in a hell of a lot of money from the business community of Leeds allowing them to employ a number of community coaching outreach people on a fulltime basis .

let's not run away from the facts though and that is that the clubs with no money can't really do much in the community as they find it hard enough to run a first team. this places like oldham and Whitehaven have been glad of help from Leeds in the past.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY 

I appreciate the money comment but money doesn’t stop Widnes, or any club, from interacting positively with their local community clubs. I’m sure the community clubs realise how skint their local pro club may be but a few visits from the pro club’s coaches or players would hardly be breaking the bank.

[The Blues Ox]

2 hours ago, paul hicks said:

And indeed, with leeds who seems to sign siddal players every year. 

why do the big super league clubs have better relations is easy. they can put players on a rugby pathway with top clubs who have the time and money to progress those players into the top of the professional game if they are good enough.  really what can a championship club off a very talented young player or indeed that players club.

Yeah totally agree, the SL teams have it very easy, just blanket sign all juniors from best amateur teams around the country. The Fax/ Siddal relationship does date back to where Fax were still in SL but used to take the mick by not fulfilling promises.

[paul hicks]

2 hours ago, Gomersall said:

I appreciate the money comment but money doesn’t stop Widnes, or any club, from interacting positively with their local community clubs. I’m sure the community clubs realise how skint their local pro club may be but a few visits from the pro club’s coaches or players would hardly be breaking the bank.

indeed, your right but again money does come into it. you're talking about part time players who work all day then train 2 or 3 nights a week with a game at the weekend.  as a part timer time is precious 

[Viking Ste]

8 hours ago, Jill Halfpenny fan said:

Is this HFH Ste? - Yes

 

 

[Viking Ste]

2 hours ago, paul hicks said:

indeed, your right but again money does come into it. you're talking about part time players who work all day then train 2 or 3 nights a week with a game at the weekend.  as a part timer time is precious 

Nobody is asking them for money. In fact the set-up at the Hornets and West Bank Bears is superior to the pro club with active volunteers ensuring all players, coaches & supporters are taken care of.

What would it cost for a couple of players to head to a training session for the kids once in a while?  Not every week but every so often? Build a rapport with active Rugby fans in the town to encourage more people to attend the Widnes matches?

[Click]

8 hours ago, Barley Mow said:

Pro- clubs with no elite academy are pretty unlikely to form links with the amateur clubs to bring player through to play for them.

But what they can do is build a good relationship to try to find their fans of the future. Only a small percentage of junior players continue to play into adulthood, and a smaller group still will play professionally, but such pro-clubs might stand a better chance of getting the juniors to attend matches as spectators (for another 70 years) if they are encouraged when young via link ups between the clubs.

Why is that? Don't quite a few amateur clubs have their own junior set ups, etc?

Surely it would be good for a local pro-club to build a strong relationship with their local amateur set ups, especially if they haven't got their own elite academy to pick juniors from.

[Viking Ste]

11 minutes ago, Click said:

Why is that? Don't quite a few amateur clubs have their own junior set ups, etc?

Surely it would be good for a local pro-club to build a strong relationship with their local amateur set ups, especially if they haven't got their own elite academy to pick juniors from.

That was my thinking exactly. Several former players from the club are with St. Helens (Lewis Dodd, Mark Percival, Ben Davies, Jake Burns, Dan Hill, George Delaney), Wigan (Harry Smith, Brad O'Neill), Leeds (Jarrod O'Connor, Sam Walters), Castleford (Danny Richardson) amongst others. But other lads could surely be picked up by Widnes that are not picked up by S/L clubs?

[sheddingswasus]

23 hours ago, Damien said:

Yeah it's in their own interest.  To me it's a no brainer that professional clubs forge close links with amateur clubs as they should be a great source of players and fans.

I thought that part of the IMG philosophy is that the pro club has strong bonds with the community clubs?

[Curly perm]

My lad’s been involved a lot with Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield through his amateur club over the years. Pre-match tournaments, walking out with players, Wakey players came to training, being part of the build up at the World Cup games etc. At least two or three times per year. 

Not all amateur clubs engage as much as that but I think it’s good going in West Yorks. Wakey generally had four or five kids sides at home games this year. 

 

[Damien]

Saw this earlier then recalled this thread about clubs doing work in the amateur game. I know it was previously said about Wigan doing work throughout Lancashire and Cumbria and here is another example as they now look for a Blackpool development officer:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to deliver Rugby League in Blackpool, the role will develop and increase the presence of Wigan Warriors throughout various localities of Blackpool by providing opportunities to access rugby league related school provision, holiday and match day activities, healthy recreation and wellbeing improvement.

When delivering, the key agenda is to create a culture of engaging more people in rugby league, involving them in more activity and creating more players, supporters and spectators of Wigan Warriors.

Key Responsibilities:
- Work with primary and secondary schools in Blackpool to deliver and grow Rugby League participation.
- Work towards and achieve income targets set by Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.
- Develop and deliver programmes that contribute to the health agenda and significantly increase the number of individuals involved in healthy recreation across Blackpool.
- Support and deliver holiday camps for Wigan Warriors, ensuring that every child has a positive and unforgettable experience.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with local partners, primary/secondary schools.
- Support the development of Blackpool Stanley and signpost new participants from school delivery.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/10/31/vacancy-blackpool-development-officer/

Edited October 31, 2023 by Damien

[JM2010]

11 hours ago, Damien said:

Saw this earlier then recalled this thread about clubs doing work in the amateur game. I know it was previously said about Wigan doing work throughout Lancashire and Cumbria and here is another example as they now look for a Blackpool development officer:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to deliver Rugby League in Blackpool, the role will develop and increase the presence of Wigan Warriors throughout various localities of Blackpool by providing opportunities to access rugby league related school provision, holiday and match day activities, healthy recreation and wellbeing improvement.

When delivering, the key agenda is to create a culture of engaging more people in rugby league, involving them in more activity and creating more players, supporters and spectators of Wigan Warriors.

Key Responsibilities:
- Work with primary and secondary schools in Blackpool to deliver and grow Rugby League participation.
- Work towards and achieve income targets set by Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.
- Develop and deliver programmes that contribute to the health agenda and significantly increase the number of individuals involved in healthy recreation across Blackpool.
- Support and deliver holiday camps for Wigan Warriors, ensuring that every child has a positive and unforgettable experience.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with local partners, primary/secondary schools.
- Support the development of Blackpool Stanley and signpost new participants from school delivery.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/10/31/vacancy-blackpool-development-officer/

This is why Wigan will always be one of the strongest clubs in SL

[del capo]

7 hours ago, JM2010 said:

This is why Wigan will always be one of the strongest clubs in SL

Smart business by Wigan again.

Like similar clubs their Foundation  lost 100k when the Sky Try element of the TV deal disappeared  but moved into other income streams  and have replaced that loss  now  largely through education. The pupil premium is a massive resource if tapped into correctly. It also allows a club to extend it's footprint/ fan base well beyond the limitations of their IMG LA catchment area.

Not to mention the valuable grading points..........

[Eddie]

19 hours ago, Damien said:

Saw this earlier then recalled this thread about clubs doing work in the amateur game. I know it was previously said about Wigan doing work throughout Lancashire and Cumbria and here is another example as they now look for a Blackpool development officer:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to deliver Rugby League in Blackpool, the role will develop and increase the presence of Wigan Warriors throughout various localities of Blackpool by providing opportunities to access rugby league related school provision, holiday and match day activities, healthy recreation and wellbeing improvement.

When delivering, the key agenda is to create a culture of engaging more people in rugby league, involving them in more activity and creating more players, supporters and spectators of Wigan Warriors.

Key Responsibilities:
- Work with primary and secondary schools in Blackpool to deliver and grow Rugby League participation.
- Work towards and achieve income targets set by Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.
- Develop and deliver programmes that contribute to the health agenda and significantly increase the number of individuals involved in healthy recreation across Blackpool.
- Support and deliver holiday camps for Wigan Warriors, ensuring that every child has a positive and unforgettable experience.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with local partners, primary/secondary schools.
- Support the development of Blackpool Stanley and signpost new participants from school delivery.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/10/31/vacancy-blackpool-development-officer/

Quality that. 

[robt]

On 12/10/2023 at 09:25, Gomersall said:

I can’t understand this apathy from some pro clubs to what is essentially a local production line on their doorstep. I know Donny regularly have interaction with the local community clubs.

In the last few years, the work that has gone on at Donny with the local clubs has been massive. Almost every matchday, one of the community clubs is down at the ground participating in an event. We've even had Sheffield Hawks come across, and they regularly are involved with Sheffield as well. 

Martin (the guy who does a lot of the community work) has done some great work, especially when they tied in the World Cup with it last year, going into schools as well.

I can be critical of some things the club has done towards the community clubs in the past, but, they seem to want to right those wrongs.

[robt]

On 12/10/2023 at 09:25, Gomersall said:

I can’t understand this apathy from some pro clubs to what is essentially a local production line on their doorstep. I know Donny regularly have interaction with the local community clubs.

Double post...

Edited November 2, 2023 by robt

[JM2010]

1 hour ago, robt said:

In the last few years, the work that has gone on at Donny with the local clubs has been massive. Almost every matchday, one of the community clubs is down at the ground participating in an event. We've even had Sheffield Hawks come across, and they regularly are involved with Sheffield as well. 

Martin (the guy who does a lot of the community work) has done some great work, especially when they tied in the World Cup with it last year, going into schools as well.

I can be critical of some things the club has done towards the community clubs in the past, but, they seem to want to right those wrongs.

How many clubs are there in Doncaster?

[Midlands hobo]

On 12/10/2023 at 13:52, paul hicks said:

Leeds are very active in the city through the leeds rugby foundation. indeed, they reach out across west Yorkshire and into the likes of Oldham and up to Whitehaven.

the advantage Leeds have is the Leeds rugby foundation which is a registered charity and brings in a hell of a lot of money from the business community of Leeds allowing them to employ a number of community coaching outreach people on a fulltime basis .

let's not run away from the facts though and that is that the clubs with no money can't really do much in the community as they find it hard enough to run a first team. this places like oldham and Whitehaven have been glad of help from Leeds in the past.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY 

I remember about 25 years back Leeds did a tour doing coaching sessions to RU u19 sides in south Devon. Was a good session and definitely upped my fledgling interest in RL

[Northern Eel]

2 hours ago, JM2010 said:

How many clubs are there in Doncaster?

Doncaster certainly create a great offering for community clubs on matchdays. Bassetlaw Bulldogs have taken U7s, U9s, U11s, the Youth team and the U13s girls to participate on matchdays in pre-match festivals etc over the past 2 years.