Thanks for the info Mozzer. I really do wonder where this sport is heading, some of those "regional academies" will not be able to compete at this level i am convinced having watched England colleges trial against one of them late last season, they were coached by former Hull & Hull KR player Steve Crooks who has a very good reputation working with young players. The standard of player wasn't very high in my opinion & i couldn't care-less about these academies from whatever region they're from, yes, it's developing the game nationwide, but the lads involved at these are primarily RU lads according to the information i was given. My problem with such a presence is how we develop our own lads at Halifax RLFC into first grade squad men of the future. There was an obvious lack of fixtures at this level last season as U20's & the lads who were tied into contracts weren't permitted by the governing body's rules & regs to go and play amateur to assist their development, so the suffered by a lack of fixtures/gametime. I fear that these academy inclusions are just make-weight fixtures but lower the standard of the competition.
I hope i'm wrong.
Good luck to all our lads already established at the club and newcomers for the forthcoming season and beyond at Halifax.