Rovers' Youth : Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:17 am  

Although our performances and league standing hasn't been up to scratch over the last few years, we have been slowly building from the bottom behind the scenes, really think we have the best youth system the club has ever had since the 80's. We have genuine quality coming through now where as in the 90's and up till recent we have just filled the positions to make up the numbers. We have Lawler, Cator, Oakes, Jubb (x2), Moran, Harris, Wardill, Clavering, Milton, plus 4-5 of the joint venture who are ring fenced for us.
Hopefully we will have a conveyor belt start in the next few years, as Wigan, Leeds and Saints have proved that this is how to be successful.

Re: Rovers' Youth : Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:55 am  

robinrovers10 wrote:

Although our performances and league standing hasn't been up to scratch over the last few years, we have been slowly building from the bottom behind the scenes, really think we have the best youth system the club has ever had since the 80's. We have genuine quality coming through now where as in the 90's and up till recent we have just filled the positions to make up the numbers. We have Lawler, Cator, Oakes, Jubb (x2), Moran, Harris, Wardill, Clavering, Milton, plus 4-5 of the joint venture who are ring fenced for us.
Hopefully we will have a conveyor belt start in the next few years, as Wigan, Leeds and Saints have proved that this is how to be successful.

I agree with all of the above, there certainly are some good prospects coming through the ranks. As long as they are managed properly they could turn out to be very good in the future.
It was no coincidence that probably the most successful period in our history was built with a sizable contingent of local grown talent back in the late seventies and early eighties.

Re: Rovers' Youth : Sun Aug 13, 2017 2:04 pm  

What is needed now is an A team or reserve team competition, where these lads can carry on there apprenticeship, because that is what it is , where they can learn of some older pros that have been there done it. I would give Ben Cockayne the A team player coaches job he loves the club and his enthusiasm would be an inspiration to the younger lads. Try and bring in a couple of senior forwards, I know it will be hard to get these guys to join the club in this capacity, but it's as important as having a good head coach in your club. Could even play Dave Hodgson now and again to run his assistant coaches eye over the youngsters actually on the field.

Re: Rovers' Youth : Sun Aug 13, 2017 2:50 pm  

easthull4 wrote:

What is needed now is an A team or reserve team competition, where these lads can carry on there apprenticeship, because that is what it is , where they can learn of some older pros that have been there done it. I would give Ben Cockayne the A team player coaches job he loves the club and his enthusiasm would be an inspiration to the younger lads. Try and bring in a couple of senior forwards, I know it will be hard to get these guys to join the club in this capacity, but it's as important as having a good head coach in your club. Could even play Dave Hodgson now and again to run his assistant coaches eye over the youngsters actually on the field.

Don't expect the reserves to be run next year, not enough teams have taken it up, which means it hasn't really worked. Might see the odd friendly, but more clubs and the RFL should have got involved and set up a proper league.

Re: Rovers' Youth : Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:22 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Don't expect the reserves to be run next year, not enough teams have taken it up, which means it hasn't really worked. Might see the odd friendly, but more clubs and the RFL should have got involved and set up a proper league.

I think you we see us strengthen our ties with York, and you with Donny

Re: Rovers' Youth : Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:53 am  

robinrovers10 wrote:

I think you we see us strengthen our ties with York, and you with Donny

I am not keen on ties with any body the RFL should sort it out all teams in the super league and championship should have one maybe that is why a lot of young player disappear some don't come into their own till in to there 20s but buy then they have gone and maybe not play any more

Re: Rovers' Youth : Mon Aug 14, 2017 8:31 am  

cravenpark1 wrote:

I am not keen on ties with any body the RFL should sort it out all teams in the super league and championship should have one maybe that is why a lot of young player disappear some don't come into their own till in to there 20s but buy then they have gone and maybe not play any more

I believe that no pro club should run anything but the first team! To explain, The game is bleeding players from amateur clubs for 16 year olds onwards most of who never return to the game after they are discarded by the pro clubs. Lads of average ability are loosing out as they are finding teams to play for shrinking in numbers.
My solution, by all means encourage pro clubs to invest in youth coaches but get them into the clubs to coach kids (ex pro players would be ideal) Let pro clubs have scholarship's & play a small number of games & run coaching camps to monitor young prospects but they should play most of their games for local clubs & schools which should play in winter as the summer game is having a disastrous impact on a lot of clubs as they struggle to get sides together (Work, holidays, family events ect). Get the grass roots thriving, it increases the player pool, keeps young men in the game (the odd late bloomer ala Chris Hill will turn up) get fringe players & youngsters signed up but out on loan (minimum one month). I know this will not find universal approval but it would save money & give the base of our sport a much needed boost as I am afraid at the moment it is on its arris.

Re: Rovers' Youth : Mon Aug 14, 2017 8:45 am  

Dave K. wrote: Don't expect the reserves to be run next year, not enough teams have taken it up, which means it hasn't really worked. Might see the odd friendly, but more clubs and the RFL should have got involved and set up a proper league. There's a good article here on Keighley & Fax running reserve sides, how they're able to do so on a tight budget and the benefits they believe they get from it. Difficult to disagree with the points made. Edit, link added: http://www.totalrl.com/column-keighley- ... rve-myths/

Dave K. wrote: Don't expect the reserves to be run next year, not enough teams have taken it up, which means it hasn't really worked. Might see the odd friendly, but more clubs and the RFL should have got involved and set up a proper league. There's a good article here on Keighley & Fax running reserve sides, how they're able to do so on a tight budget and the benefits they believe they get from it. Difficult to disagree with the points made. Edit, link added: http://www.totalrl.com/column-keighley- ... rve-myths/

Re: Rovers' Youth : Mon Aug 14, 2017 8:47 am  

easthull4 wrote:

What is needed now is an A team or reserve team competition, where these lads can carry on there apprenticeship, because that is what it is , where they can learn of some older pros that have been there done it. I would give Ben Cockayne the A team player coaches job he loves the club and his enthusiasm would be an inspiration to the younger lads. Try and bring in a couple of senior forwards, I know it will be hard to get these guys to join the club in this capacity, but it's as important as having a good head coach in your club. Could even play Dave Hodgson now and again to run his assistant coaches eye over the youngsters actually on the field.

I do not know whether Ben would make a good coach or not. I would definitely not see him being appointed on the strength of his enthusiasm. That quality is important but a coach at any level needs far more than that. His record as a role model is not great and during the recent home match with Fax he was still showing his immaturity. A coach has to develop and mentor younger players it is difficult to see how someone who cannot even control his own emotions would fit into that role. He could maybe assist a coach who could monitor his development and so make use of the strengths you see in him.

Re: Rovers' Youth : Mon Aug 14, 2017 12:46 pm  

DGM wrote: There's a good article here on Keighley & Fax running reserve sides, how they're able to do so on a tight budget and the benefits they believe they get from it. Difficult to disagree with the points made. Edit, link added: http://www.totalrl.com/column-keighley- ... rve-myths/ That should be sent to the RFL and all clubs If 2 can do it why cant more

DGM wrote: There's a good article here on Keighley & Fax running reserve sides, how they're able to do so on a tight budget and the benefits they believe they get from it. Difficult to disagree with the points made. Edit, link added: http://www.totalrl.com/column-keighley- ... rve-myths/ That should be sent to the RFL and all clubs If 2 can do it why cant more