Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Discuss all things Wigan Warriors. Comments and opinions on all aspects of the club's performance are welcome.
Post Reply
josie andrews
Posts: 35575
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
Location: Wigan
Contact:

Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by josie andrews »

Kris Radlinski has called on the RFL to start putting the wheels in motion for the full return of Reserve Grade rugby.

The topic was at the forefront of discussions last week, with some of the sport’s top players hitting out at the current state of the second-grade competition.

Only a handful of clubs are currently running a reserve-grade side, a fact that has come in for major criticism from several clubs, coaches and players.

The RFL released a statement in response in which it endorsed a fully-fledged reserve-grade competition but stressed it was at the discretion of the clubs.

However, Radlinski, who gained experience playing at reserve-grade level during his career before graduating into the first team, believes action has to be taken to accelerate its return on a game-wide scale.

“Rather than it being optional I think the leadership should say it needs to happen,” he said.

“It’s just not what it used to be. I’m quite old-fashioned and romantic about it. It’s a very different era and I appreciate that, but Thursday nights with up to 3,000 at Central Park watching the game, that’s been lost along the way. It’s such an important part of the development of players and also an offering for fans that people are missing also.

“Times are hard in Rugby League, there’s no doubt about it. Sponsorship is difficult to come by, salaries are going up and there are attractions elsewhere. But surely the development of players is a cost-effective way of keeping this down.

“We’re tied into minimum standards with regards to attendances, floodlight capacity and so on, but we’re not really marked on player development. Yet if we’re not producing players we’re in trouble.

“If you asked every head of youth in the league, they’re all behind it, but some clubs are led by their finance directors, so it’s difficult.
“We’re probably the only sport that hasn’t got a genuine second tier. We’re making it difficult on ourselves, having to make calls on kids at 19 years of age.”

http://www.totalrl.com/radlinski-reveal ... e-romance/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
morley pie eater
Posts: 3219
Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 2:01 pm

Re: Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by morley pie eater »

I've said for years that no team should get into Super League unless they have a functioning development structure from youth up.

It's the life-blood of the game, especially now with us losing players to the NRL and Union. Halifax have got it right in the championship. No excuses for SL teams on Sky money.
. . . . . . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
PF Warrior
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:29 pm

Re: Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by PF Warrior »

morley pie eater wrote:I've said for years that no team should get into Super League unless they have a functioning development structure from youth up.

It's the life-blood of the game, especially now with us losing players to the NRL and Union. Halifax have got it right in the championship. No excuses for SL teams on Sky money.
Agree totally Morely. Should be a requirement in Super League. If a Super League club doesn't have or will not form a Reserve team, they should be replaced by a Championship side that have a reserve team.
Wiganer Ted
Posts: 3189
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:31 pm

Re: Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by Wiganer Ted »

This is a matter for Super League and Elstone should have it at the top of his list of priorities. Abolishing dual reg would be a start.
Leeds don't want a reserve team and logistics might prevent Catalans having one the we've got Bradford, Halifax and Keighley who can take their place as they have reserve teams now.
As has been mentioned if those latter three clubs can run reserves on their budgets then SL clubs don't have any excuse at all.
01tentpeg
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:18 pm

Re: Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by 01tentpeg »

there must be loads of talent lost through not having reserve teams.The young lads must feel that there is no use of carrying on with no matches to look forward to.
keptinthedarkfans
Posts: 1750
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:11 pm

Re: Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by keptinthedarkfans »

morley pie eater wrote:I've said for years that no team should get into Super League unless they have a functioning development structure from youth up.

It's the life-blood of the game, especially now with us losing players to the NRL and Union. Halifax have got it right in the championship. No excuses for SL teams on Sky money.
Spot on
markill
Posts: 3675
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:50 pm
Contact:

Re: Radlinski reveals reserve grade romance

Post by markill »

Wiganer Ted wrote:This is a matter for Super League and Elstone should have it at the top of his list of priorities. Abolishing dual reg would be a start.
Leeds don't want a reserve team and logistics might prevent Catalans having one the we've got Bradford, Halifax and Keighley who can take their place as they have reserve teams now.
As has been mentioned if those latter three clubs can run reserves on their budgets then SL clubs don't have any excuse at all.
Catalan have a reserve side, they just play in France. They manage to get their u19s to fulfill a full fixture list, but it may be difficult to expect both u19s and reserves. As you say though, there are some good options to fill out the reserves league from the teams lower down.
in the world of mules, there are no rules

LATEST PODCAST EPISODE
https://www.spreaker.com/user/superleaguepod
Post Reply