I think is an Under 16s Academy competition. It begins this week but once again Wigan are not involved.

Celtic, Harlequins, Hull KR, Leeds, Salford, St Helens and Widnes have all entered sides.

Ok it lasts only five weeks but do you think we are missing out in not entering this competition? Or is it really a token gesture effort? I've always felt that a club our size should look to enter especially when our biggest academy rivals Leeds & St Helens have continually entered.

I personally think we are missing out, its a great idea that again bridges the gap between amateur and Academy.

Salford invest a lot into this and it shows in there ability to recruit good lads to a slightly lesser light as a club.

I played for Widnes foundation academy and found it to be a fantastic experience. It prepares the young athletes for a professional career and gives them an insight into the professional set-ups.

Wigan IMO are definately missing out here.

I think it's something to do with Wigan and Leigh Service areas that Wigan cannot / do not enter into it.

I played for harlequins foundation academy last year and it really gives you an insight into the professional lifestyle whilst also preparing you physically and mentally for an higher level of rugby.

haven't quite a few 'experts' recently said that our youngsters play too much rugby too early?
maybe that's is behind the decision. another thought is that a few clubs, wigan included, might see how it goes this time round and enter a team next time.

That maybe so, but I'm 99% certain Leigh did have an U16s foundation team a few years ago. I also seem to remember someone saying that Wigan preferred to take the youngsters straight into the U18s squad - something like that, it was 4years ago when I was playing in the U16s

Wouldn't we have to remove the best/all Wigan players from the Wigan & Leigh service area to compete in that?

That was what I was alluding to.

It shouldn't have anything to do with service area.

There are no Service Area Teams at U16's. That is partly the point of the Foundation Academy.