they are massively in bed together through nsw racing. Why surprised?
on the proposal it’s a great idea. Not sure how far $110k is going to go per club to set up a regional academy though? Barely a FT development officer salary. No academies for melbourne or canberra?
Exactly what I was thinking. It's not even a drop in the ocean. The last time I heard(years ago), the AFL was spending over $20m a year in NSW alone and same in QLD. God knows how much they are ploughing in now?
This is a great idea and a massive increase in junior development by all clubs is the only way a 2 conference competition will ever work.
I have said countless time that all NRL teams should be made to spend at least $1m on junior development with strict KPI's as part of the deal. If any club fails to meet their KPI's the NRL takes the million dollars off of their Salary cap allowance and invests it in that clubs junior regions.
Without a concerted effort in growing the game at all lower levels, how the hell do they think that a 18-20 team conference system is anywhere near viable? We haven't got the players to sustain a 16 club comp now. Just look at the haves and have nots. The new rules are awesome, but they have also exposed the lack of NRL quality players we now have since the dismantling of the lower grade pathways that used to exist.
The ARLC is trying to reestablish these pathways now and probably ultimately rejig the State Cup system, which is the main problem here at this level.
NRL clubs need to be the ones bringing on the reserves and U20's or whatever Under's they decide on, not State Leagues. No one does it better then the NRL clubs system. Always have and always will. We used to be the envy of all sports systems, but sadly to save a few bucks the Clubs have almost killed the golden goose.
It's time to throw a bit of feed her way and get the old girl back on her feet so she can get to laying those golden eggs again.
When will the NRL clubs ever learn that there are no shortcuts in Rugby League both on and off the field. Unless you are the Roosters of course. Then picking the eyes out of the best young talent does really work for you, but ultimately doesn't help the game one little bit.