Fascinating article by Robbie Paul See timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le">timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/2010/04/my-entry-5.html">timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... try-5.html

Fascinating article by Robbie Paul See timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le">timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_league/2010/04/my-entry-5.html">timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... try-5.html

The key is the academy players. Too many show genuine promise and leave school and do nothing else. Clubs often simply let them do that to facilitate full time training. Any 17 year old would be happy to do that. The onus should be on clubs to insist it doesnt and all academies should employ a part time education and welfare officer. There are plenty of retired teachers who would love to do that. They could work with players after training and mentor their education. The best Head Coaches would also take an interest, some would, some wouldnt.



Im a teacher who has been involved in the game for years and I have had numerous players ring me panicking asking how to become a PE teacher, cos they have been in schools and would like to do that! When the reality of needing a degree and PGCE sets in there is genuine panic. Its awful to see.

Quote ="Cheshire Tiger"The key is the academy players. Too many show genuine promise and leave school and do nothing else. Clubs often simply let them do that to facilitate full time training. Any 17 year old would be happy to do that. The onus should be on clubs to insist it doesnt and all academies should employ a part time education and welfare officer. There are plenty of retired teachers who would love to do that. They could work with players after training and mentor their education. The best Head Coaches would also take an interest, some would, some wouldnt. Im a teacher who has been involved in the game for years and I have had numerous players ring me panicking asking how to become a PE teacher, cos they have been in schools and would like to do that! When the reality of needing a degree and PGCE sets in there is genuine panic. Its awful to ">see.'" Which is where hook-ups with local FE/HE institutions come in such as those the Rhinos have with Carnegie for example. Part of the licence process should be for clubs to build these links, and not just for show but to actually give their players at all age levels the opportunity to pick of some skills and qualifications for a life outside sport.

Quote ="Cheshire Tiger"The key is the academy players. Too many show genuine promise and leave school and do nothing else. Clubs often simply let them do that to facilitate full time training. Any 17 year old would be happy to do that. The onus should be on clubs to insist it doesnt and all academies should employ a part time education and welfare officer. There are plenty of retired teachers who would love to do that. They could work with players after training and mentor their education. The best Head Coaches would also take an interest, some would, some wouldnt. Im a teacher who has been involved in the game for years and I have had numerous players ring me panicking asking how to become a PE teacher, cos they have been in schools and would like to do that! When the reality of needing a degree and PGCE sets in there is genuine panic. Its awful to ">see.'" Which is where hook-ups with local FE/HE institutions come in such as those the Rhinos have with Carnegie for example. Part of the licence process should be for clubs to build these links, and not just for show but to actually give their players at all age levels the opportunity to pick of some skills and qualifications for a life outside sport.

Wigan have been pretty good. A few first team players - Pat Richards, Cameron Phelps, Sam Tomkins, Sean O'loughlin are all doing Strength and Conditioning degrees (something like that) with UCLAN (who have a partnership with Wigan).



I think all of the U20's (or at least a selected few) have had some work experience as well in the off season.



Paul Prescott has either got or is in the middle of completing a Law Degree. Clever lad.



Don't Kevin Sinfield, JJB and a few others have degrees?



The onus is on the players to take responsibility for their futures, but clubs should do more to help players out. Some who have been mentioned, Hull FC, Warrington, Wigan and Leeds are doing.

This is where the NCAA/NFL system works well. Young lads are offered scholarships to attend college. They play college sport and earn there degree etc then on completetion they are drafted it turned out to work.



The rfl needs to have a similar criteria in place for academies. Yes a young lad could earn good wedge playing but it only takes one bad tackle one broken ankle damanged knee etc and it's game over.

Quote ="cadoo"Wigan have been pretty good. A few first team players - Pat Richards,...........doing Strength and Conditioning degrees (something like that) with UCLAN (who have a partnership with Wigan). .'" Why, surely he will play forever getting stronger as the years go by. k020.gif" alt="k020.gif" title="ROCKS" />

Quote ="cadoo"Wigan have been pretty good. A few first team players - Pat Richards,...........doing Strength and Conditioning degrees (something like that) with UCLAN (who have a partnership with Wigan). .'" Why, surely he will play forever getting stronger as the years go by. k020.gif" alt="k020.gif" title="ROCKS" />