We seem to have a fair few different fund raising organisations on the go at the moment. I understand that the squadbuilder is a bit more unique as its aims are purely to supplement the 1st team. However, surely BullBuilder and this new friends of the academy incarnation have very similar aims and are essentially fishing from the same pool? Can't help wonder if collective efforts would achieve more , or is it more a case of BullBuilder having control of the money that the club dislike? I'd be surprised if many people are inclined or fortunate enough to be in a position to contribute to all 3.

I've wondered this too. Squadbuilder is a bit different but the Friends of Bulls Academy seems to be very similar to BullBuilder. Not sure why the club felt the need to set it up unless it wants BullBuilder out of the way so it has more control over funds raised.

In the past the USP of BullBuilder was its independence and this paid dividends when the club went through it's various issues.

I wonder if its to do with the academy license farce that I think is to be reviewed in two years. The RFL could just take away the license again and not let us have an academy at all. Bullbuilder is more a donation charity, pays for bits of equipment, team building trips away etc

I don't know what the farcical criteria is that the RFL will be looking at, but let's say they need to have a certain position employed or employer with a certain qualification etc maybe the RFL want this to be funded through official channels through the club rather than a fans charity the club has no control over.

The Academy has always been funded through official channels though. BullBuilder paid for the "extras" or things on top of the club's budget. The club used to have a "head of youth" which was John Bastian and then he was succeeded by Mark Dunning who I think has been succeeded by someone else. These people needed to be appropriately qualified anyway.