WORKINGTON TOWN have been in talks with neighbours Whitehaven about a joint approach to developing and keeping local talent.
The pair, separated by eight miles, are arch-rivals, but there’s a school of thought that a unified approach would be beneficial to both.
Whitehaven have unveiled plans for a pathway system for players from under twelve to under 16 level, with Wigan providing backing.
They want to have under 18s in the mix by 2028, so providing a stepping stone to open-age rugby, and want Workington to come in on that initiative.
While both clubs have long drawn on local talent, so have Super League sides as they recruit for their Academies.
More locals at the two West Cumbrian clubs would save them the cost of players having to travel from other areas for training and matches.
“Jumping from 16 to open age, I think it’s just a little step too far,” said Whitehaven chief executive Lee Butterworth on the Under-18 project.
“A lot of the (open-age) second teams are either young kids or blokes who have sort of matured and are maybe coming down from the first team. That means the younger lads are literally running into men.
“We had a meeting with Workington and we’re very confident they want to do this as well, which I think is fantastic for the area.
“The RFL has been trying to get both professional clubs to do it for the last ten years, and surely it’s easier to develop our local talent than trying to get people to travel three or four hours up the motorway.”
Whitehaven hope volunteer coaches will step forward to guide an under twelve to under-16 intake next year.
Wigan will support the system and help develop the coaches.