Scrapping the U20s Competition

[yokozuna]

Agree. Reduce the number of teams in SL, and all of those teams should have academies.

Also reintroduce promotion and relegation.

[highland convert]

Keep the fourteen or increase to sixteen. Have sl1 and sl2. Play six or seven games home and away, top two up bottom two down, play again. Still 24 or 28 games in the season but still something to play for. Still plenty teams to loan players to. Still duel reg. and it reenergises the comp half way through. The licence holders still have the security of a licence. Too many games. Reduce or scrap the playoffs. Jim

[Mike]

The problem for us that the South Wales is a bit too far away. We should start Chorley Lynx up again and field our Under 20s for them

[Pies for ever]

Totally agree with CPW. Forced through by short sighted representatives of some of the smaller, less ambitious clubs from the other side of the Pennines. Doesn't help improve coaches at the lower level either as they will no longer be learning how to develop their own young players.

Think you will find that one of those short sighted representatives was actually our very own Chairman, I think it was only Stains and Wire on Gods side of the Pennines who were against the idea.

[Pies for ever]

There was little doubt that the under 20's league provided a poor standard of competition but the changes are simply going to disadvantage the clubs who have actually done what the RFL wanted them to do over the last few years.

There was always the option of allowing the teams with the strongest academy sides to enter a reserve team in Championship one, similar to the Spanish football league. At least then the teams that generally produce the most Super League talent can continue to do so.

Have the changes even been officially confirmed yet? It all seems to have been decided very late and it's hardly ideal when clubs are renegotiating contracts with young players who they can't even guarantee anywhere to play next season.

The changes could also have a big effect on prop forwards as the players who generally mature at a much later age. They will have no competition to play in once they turn 19, they could be a long way off their peak and there's no guarantee that a Championship club will want to take a risk on a young prop.

The Super League clubs had a meeting, I think last week and couldnt decide, so apparently handed the decision back to the RFL who are supposedly making their decision on the 22nd of this month.

[cpwigan]

Totally agree with CPW. Forced through by short sighted representatives of some of the smaller, less ambitious clubs from the other side of the Pennines. Doesn't help improve coaches at the lower level either as they will no longer be learning how to develop their own young players.

Think you will find that one of those short sighted representatives was actually our very own Chairman, I think it was only Stains and Wire on Gods side of the Pennines who were against the idea.

I think IL voted for change BUT not necessarily the actual change that is going to happen. However, God bless him, done lots of good but he toes the party line 99.9% of the time. Sadly, rocking the RL boat is not for IL.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

There was little doubt that the under 20's league provided a poor standard of competition but the changes are simply going to disadvantage the clubs who have actually done what the RFL wanted them to do over the last few years.

There was always the option of allowing the teams with the strongest academy sides to enter a reserve team in Championship one, similar to the Spanish football league. At least then the teams that generally produce the most Super League talent can continue to do so.

Have the changes even been officially confirmed yet? It all seems to have been decided very late and it's hardly ideal when clubs are renegotiating contracts with young players who they can't even guarantee anywhere to play next season.

The changes could also have a big effect on prop forwards as the players who generally mature at a much later age. They will have no competition to play in once they turn 19, they could be a long way off their peak and there's no guarantee that a Championship club will want to take a risk on a young prop.

The Super League clubs had a meeting, I think last week and couldnt decide, so apparently handed the decision back to the RFL who are supposedly making their decision on the 22nd of this month.

The U20s competition id dead in the water!

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Agree. Reduce the number of teams in SL, and all of those teams should have academies.

Also reintroduce promotion and relegation.

Both good shouts, the latter I think will be reintroduced at the end of the SL Licence period. As for a reduction in SL teams, the RFL are going to have to enforce the change as the majority of SL clubs won't support it!

Who would you get rid of? My starter for two is merging Wakefield and Castleford, a no brainer!

[bocco]

Salford I belive were very active in this very poor decision. At 19 where will the players go Salford & Warrington have already let go of players who were on contract.Young players are going to migrate towards Union unless we can demonstrate a clear pathway to SL for a young player joining a pro club The U20's standard is not great throughout the league but we have taken a good few players through our system over the last 2 seasons as have Warrington & Saints. We get to train them watch them play & put them out on duel or loan to help polish them up ready for the first team.

I really think relegation must be brought back & also the clubs & the RL need to engage with the communities & schools getting more kids playing RL & getting more poeple coming to games.
Next season who knows what fate awaits our players.

Heard Matty Russell is off down under not sure if he is leaving Wigan permanently or not. Also heard a couiple of the other U20 age are going to leave.

[Owd Codger]

There are now too many clubs in the North for the number of people now watching the game and it is time that some clubs bit the bullet and merged, otherwise the game is going to struggle even more and more both on the field and off it finance wise. What is needed is fewer but stronger clubs.