Salford set to scrap their U19s. Disgraceful if true. Surely it should be a requirement to run an academy to gain entry to the league. The RFL will just bury their heads in the sand and say "carry-on"

With Salford scrapping theirs, Hull merging theirs, it's more important than ever for us to keep producing our own. We've one of the best academies and some of the best juniors in the game on our books and we will reap the rewards in the future. Us fans need to continue backing the academy through the lottery, Bullbuilder and of course, RAB sponsorship.

Barmy short sighted move if true.

You have to wonder about Salford's future if this is the case.

Bad for the game too.

It's my understanding that Salford have been in a bit of a situation ever since the council turfed them out of the Willows. According to a bloke I did some work with who is on some sort of committee at Swinton, Salford pay £15,000 per game to host their matches at the AJ Bell. How on earth can that be sustainable? They must have looked into other alternatives, too. I wonder if the Doc is being forced to streamline to make the club sustainable without any further input from his own wallet.

Rugby league is on a rocky road to obscurity in this country. It will merge with rugby union, probably within a generation.

People have said that for generations too

Cutting your academy to save money is about as short sighted as it comes. Total false economy as a well run academy will save you money in the long run.

Hardly surprising it comes from Salford though. Just reinforces to me that the Doctor is in this for the short term.

Good forward thinking if you ask me. Whats the point of paying to develop players when you can get Championship teams to do it for you.

Who are Fax acting as A team for next year?

I think player development was a requirement along with other off field / community activities under the old system. Looks Like promotion / relegation has put paid to that at Salford. And Yes, the RFL will most likely do as you say.

In contrast we've just been rated as outstanding for our "embed the pathway" work. Well done. www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/pos ... foundation

In contrast we've just been rated as outstanding for our "embed the pathway" work. Well done. www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/pos ... foundation

How misguided of the Bulls to be developing youngsters at a time when we should be "cutting our cloth".

With all the money at Super League clubs' disposal they should be forced to spend a set percentage of income on youth development or be thrown out of the league, end of.

Well quite. Wasn't the salary cap always meant to largely be about stabilising clubs to ensure the long term health of the game? That went well...