Overseas or home grown talent? : Sun Jul 14, 2013 11:33 pm  

Since Harrison came in as head coach we no longer have any overseas players.

Does anyone think this is the right way forward for us as a club with a view to being back in the big time?

Our team that won the grand final in 2010 had Royston, Branighan, Nash, Black and Watene who were all good players from overseas.. I understand some qualified as English citizens etc but that's not what i'm getting at.

Now we have 0 overseas players.

Whats everyones opinion, do you think we need a little bit of overseas class next year, maybe a half back or to stick with an all British squad?

[triran]

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:05 am  

I like the idea of no overseas players - it is cheaper in the long run. Usually overseas players demand a higher wage. Money can be spent better across the board including the youth.

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:01 am  

Interesting question that I have been thinking about recently as well.

I can see some of the arguments both for and against.
As Triran said it can work out expensive and short term and there is only a certain amount of money available.

On the other hand it could be reasoned if the finance side of things aren't prohibitive then why impose a restriction on the recruitment of playing staff that could weaken the team?
Why not use every option available to get you where you want to go?

I remember KH was asked about something on these lines at the Tuesday "New York" meeting some weeks ago.

Sheffield was mentioned and the success they are having with the likes of Yere, Talapapa and QLT.

Karl H said that was what MA had decided to do but Halifax had chosen a different route, he even joked that if he could he wouldn't have anyone playing from Lancashire!!

It does show that a concious decision has been made at least for the moment.

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:32 am  

triran wrote:

I like the idea of no overseas players - it is cheaper in the long run. Usually overseas players demand a higher wage. Money can be spent better across the board including the youth.

How many players have come through your youth system in say the last five years ?

Just asking .........

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:43 am  

We've had Hill Higson Nicholson Pownall Hopkins with Bate Hill and Pitman breaking through this season
Not bad with no funding at Leigh, with all tha cash thrown at Sheffield from various sources how many have you brought through ?

[triran]

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:13 am  

griff1998 wrote:

How many players have come through your youth system in say the last five years ?

Just asking .........

Fair question, and I think the club have identified under previous regimes the process of bringing youth through hasn't worked as well as they would like. When KH came in he changed things with the backroom staff then it all changed at the beginning of this year, therefore they went with the attitude of fielding a very young reserve team so they can build them up over a couple of years instead of player wastage.

Iain Davies and Connor Wood are the only names I can think of that have started with us but count as first team players. Freddie Walker has come from Giants so not sure he counts but he is part of our youth system, so you can decide on that.

It wasn't that long ago our teams average was laughed at, but now, is it closer to 23 /24?

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:21 am  

griff1998 wrote:

How many players have come through your youth system in say the last five years ?

Just asking .........

This is a worry of mine, the supporters trust raises a hell of a lot of money to fund the u20s or whatever it is this season. But we're not seeing players coming through into the first team.

Partly, I think this is because players who are good enough at that young age to play at the top end of the championship are already at super league clubs in their youth set ups. Whereas some players who have played in our academy side have in the cases of josh Barlow and jess-Jo sherriffe gone on to play for sides at the bottom end of the championship.

What will happen with some of the u19 side at Leeds next season, who won't be able to move into the first team as there's already experienced players in their positions, but don't want to be dual reg-ed or loaned to a potentially relegated Hunslet. Some of these players may well leave and drop into the championship in search of first team rugby with the aim of impressing and moving up. Leeds won't be the only club with young players looking at their options.

A big part of the problem, which isn't unique to fax is the constant changing of the academy system.

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:49 am  

griff1998 wrote:

How many players have come through your youth system in say the last five years ?

Just asking .........

As previously stated there has only been a certain amount of money available.

Under the lets tick a box criteria such as win the Grand Final or NRC it would seem that the focus and therefore money had to be spent on the first team.

Once this had been achieved and with it now looking like it is won't be a factor whilst the first team needs to be backed finacially as much as possible to be as competative as possible it is has been recognised that a good youth policy is also a very important area.

The club have now made a big effort in that direction with massive support from the supporters trust and everyone that contributes through them raising tens of thousands of pounds each year for the youth side.

Many of these young lads are still "YOUNG" young ones who are getting better each time they play and "in time" will make the grade.

Instead of looking back it's more pertinent to ask.

"How many players will come through our youth system in the "next" five years.

This will have a big part to play in where we can go as a club and if we can support this effort by getting to some of the games and chipping in a few quid as and when we can will be really good.

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:01 am  

faxcar wrote:

As previously stated there has only been a certain amount of money available.

Under the lets tick a box criteria such as win the Grand Final or NRC it would seem that the focus and therefore money had to be spent on the first team.

Once this had been achieved and with it now looking like it is won't be a factor whilst the first team needs to be backed finacially as much as possible to be as competative as possible it is has been recognised that a good youth policy is also a very important area.

The club have now made a big effort in that direction with massive support from the supporters trust and everyone that contributes through them raising tens of thousands of pounds each year for the youth side.

Many of these young lads are still "YOUNG" young ones who are getting better each time they play and "in time" will make the grade.

Instead of looking back it's more pertinent to ask.

"How many players will come through our youth system in the "next" five years.

This will have a big part to play in where we can go as a club and if we can support this effort by getting to some of the games and chipping in a few quid as and when we can will be really good.

That is if the RFL or SL clubs, let the lower league teams continue to have these teams. ?

Re: Overseas or home grown talent? : Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:15 am  

Cassandra wrote:

That is if the RFL or SL clubs, let the lower league teams continue to have these teams. ?

Good point.

The RFL yes, on the basis of the "what's good for the game as a whole" agenda at the moment.

SL clubs will be divided by those that put self interest first.

With that in mind I am deeply concerned that this "new structure process" is just a sham by some of the SL clubs to get the comp reduced to 12 teams, grab the extra money and then say the rest won't work.

If they both give it the thumbs down then we will produce nothing hence the importance the next 5 years as opposed to the last 5 years.