Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards receive academy licence boost

[josie andrews]

The two Super League clubs have seen applications accepted after they were denied three years ago.

Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards have been awarded three-year academy licenses. The Super League clubs have successfully gone through the application process and received the recognition, three years after they lodged unsuccessful proposals.

Both clubs have publicly acknowledged the importance of receiving the licences for their future growth. Having a licence will ensure the clubs can return young talent in pathways that will enhance their prospects of developing into first-team players.

In a statement, it was noted that “both clubs demonstrated they had listened to the feedback from the RFL in 2021 and shaped their application to address previous concerns."

Paul Medley, the RFL’s National Talent Progression Manager said: “Congratulations are due to both Leigh Leopards and Salford Red Devils for the positive and constructive way in which they have responded to the disappointment of missing out on an Academy Licence in 2021, culminating in the decision to award them three-year licences from 2025-27.

The Panel assessed the applications over four key areas: leadership and management; meeting the needs of the players; programme delivery; and finance.

The applications of both clubs were found to meet the necessary standards across these four areas, with their applications highlighting the importance of working with educational institutions to offer a dual career development pathway, and of boosting junior participation in schools and clubs – with a focus on hard-to-reach groups to diversify their talent pool."

Salford's Director of Rugby & Operations, Ian Blease, said: “This is a sign of the quality of our system, which the Elite Academy will enhance even further. Having our Elite Academy Licence provides the opportunity for the club to retain the best talent in the City of Salford, as well as support their education and begin their journey to achieve their dreams of playing for Salford Red Devils in Super League."

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-29223824

[Charriots Offiah]

Hopefully, this move will entice more lads into the game. We desperately need to make the talent pool bigger. I am really surprised that this was not part of the IMG criteria.

[josie andrews]

Hopefully, this move will entice more lads into the game. We desperately need to make the talent pool bigger. I am really surprised that this was not part of the IMG criteria.

Thought it was Wasn’t that one of the ‘points’ awarded by IMG to remain in SL

[medlocke]

Are there any clubs remaining without an academy

[Mike]

Good news, the more clubs developing talent the better. After all not everyone develops at the same rate and kids can be lost to the sport when there's only a few academy places.

[Charriots Offiah]

Hopefully, this move will entice more lads into the game. We desperately need to make the talent pool bigger. I am really surprised that this was not part of the IMG criteria.

Thought it was Wasn’t that one of the ‘points’ awarded by IMG to remain in SL

I'm not convinced it was Josie. There is a category called 'community' but I can't recall academy status being referenced. Then again, I could have interpreted it incorrectly. If there are any experts on the IMG Criteria could these please confirm?