Eight clubs from the Betfred Super League, and two from the Betfred Championship, have been awarded Elite Academy Licences for 2022-27, having demonstrated that they achieve the elite standards required by the process.

The licensing process had been delayed since 2019, partly as a result of the disruption caused by Covid-19. Over recent months an expert panel convened by the RFL and Super League Europe had considered 15 applications.

Key decisions that were agreed by the clubs before the process began were for the licence term to be extended to six years, because of the long-term nature of player development, and for the importance of the Community Game to be factored into deliberations.

That led to an agreement that a maximum of 12 licences should be awarded – up to nine in “Core Affinity Areas”, up to two in “Emerging Affinity Areas”, and up to one in France.

The rationale for this was as follows:

1. To ensure that Academies are operated sensitively and proportionately to the continuing good health of the Community Game;

2. That the number of players selected for Academies is proportionate to the number of players within the Community Game at the relevant age and that the players selected have a genuine opportunity of progressing into the Super League and National teams;

3. That the talent pool is extended beyond the traditional heartland of the sport.

The panel was chaired by Air Commodore Dean Andrew OBE. The RFL representation was led by Dave Rotheram (Chief On-Field Officer), also including Marc Lovering (Director of Participation and Development), Samantha Allen (Head of Professional Game Delivery) and Paul Medley (National Player Progression Manager).

The panel also included Duncan Truswell, Sport England’s Strategic Lead for Performance and Talent who shared a wealth of expertise from other sports.

The 10 clubs awarded elite Academy Licences for 2022-27 are: Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos, Newcastle Thunder, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors.

It would have been a crime, if we had not been granted a licence, how many Super League players, we have developed. We seem to have got Our Academy rights and good staff looking after it.

Real anger reading in Castleford what they think same with Bradford? and Hull KR.

It's the one thing we do really well and the club deserves huge congratulations for the time, effort and resources put into developing young players.

The clubs who have missed out have no-one to blame but themselves. There were 15 applicants for 12 licences, and yet only 10 have been allocated. That suggests the other 5 must have been well below the required standard. Cas rattled off a list of players they've produced, almost all of whom are now over the age of thirty, which isn't the robust argument they think it is.

There are two issues here for the RFL (and sport) to face: 1) a lot of clubs sign a bunch of 15 year olds who have no chance of making pro, simply so they can claim they run an academy. They then put them through a poor academy system and are then released at 18. Those kids never go back to the community clubs they came from, which end up being decimated by losing kids merely to fill squad places in academies that are going nowhere. 2) the truth is that because of the geography of our game every player coming through at Cas, Bradford, HKR would have been picked up from their community clubs by another academy, so we're not going to lose any players by them signing for Huddersfield instead of Bradford, or Wakey instead of Cas.

As usual it has proved howls of outrage on social media, partly because that's the way the world is and partly because the RFL always do a poor job of explaining themselves and their decisions.

Powell Hails ‘Significant Development’ For Rugby League’s Future In London
by Broncos Media | May 25, 2021 | 2021, Club News | 0 comments

London Broncos’ Head of Youth Development Rob Powell has described the club’s new Elite Academy License as a significant development for the future of Rugby League in the capital.
The Broncos were confirmed by the RFL as one of 10 clubs in the UK to be awarded the new status which will be operational from the 2022 season until 2027.
An Elite Academy License allows clubs to recruit young players and develop them through carefully structured scholarship and academy programmes. The Broncos’ new status is an upgrade from the current Category 2 Academy status.
A 100-page document which analysed all elements of provision within the Broncos’ academy including medical, strength and conditioning, coaching and player welfare was submitted. The document also included a six-year visionary plan and four-year development strategy.
“I would like to thank Chairman David Hughes and CEO Jason Loubser for their dedication to Academy Rugby League in London,” said Powell. “Their support of the Academy and its application has been outstanding.
“First team coach Danny Ward and his staff have been instrumental too by providing a vision that strives to promote and develop local players and support staff. Without their support plus the London Junior League Committee, the RFL and Community Clubs in our region, this would not be possible. To the parents and players too, all of whom champion our programmes.
“We are excited about what the future holds. We have an opportunity to drive this forward and create a Super League quality first-team built around our local Academy products.”
Before licenses were assigned to individual clubs, it was agreed a maximum of 12 would be awarded. Up to nine would be awarded in ‘core affinity areas’, two in ‘emerging affinity areas’ and one in France.
The panel who made the decision included Air Commodore Dean Andrew OBE, plus Dave Rotheram, Marc Lovering, Samantha Allen and Paul Medley of the RFL. Also on the panel was Duncan Truswell, Sport England’s Strategic Lead for Performance and Talent.
Powell added: “The announcement means we can continue to provide an aspirational pathway for local players to reach the very highest level of our sport.
“A huge amount of work has gone into making our Elite Academy status possible and we have continually improved our service to the city’s young players in recent years.
“Behind our Academy are a very professional group of volunteers, part-time and full-time staff who invest an unbelievable volume of time, emotional energy and determination to make what we deliver possible.”
Other clubs to be awarded Elite Academy Licenses include: Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, Newcastle Thunder, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors.
To read The RFL statement in full, click here.

Sad thing is, we will probably develop them then they will head north. If we can keep them then great but that is probably going to mean offering longer contracts.

At least Southern/London boys that have gone north, don't seem to suffer from missing their mums in the way their northern counterparts do. See Canberra have 1 now, don't they engage their brains before signing a contract?