Plans to create a sports college in Whitehaven have taken a step forward.
Hull FC and Whitehaven RLFC are working together to create the college at the LEL Arena.
Students at the Hull FC Initiated West Cumbria Development Academy would be able to obtain a formal education and qualifications, as well as being able to participate in an elite rugby league training programme.
They would also be involved in competitive matches within the established College League.
The Hull FC WCD Academy, in partnership with Whitehaven RLFL, already has some 45 Under-15s and Under-16s players involved and six community clubs were represented on the recent game at Newcastle.
Players from Wath Brow Hornets, Hensingham, Lowca, Seaton Rangers, Kells and Maryport all contributed to the victory by an eighteen-strong squad.
The long-term plan is to develop and keep young rugby league talent in West Cumbria as long as possible, but with the option of Super League club Hull to take player development further where players show ability.
It will also provide a real pathway for players to aim for the Whitehaven and Hull FC first team squads.
Lee Crooks, the talent ID and development manager at Hull FC explained that the Development Academy in West Cumbria is one of six the Super League club plan to establish around the country by September next year.
He said: “The two clubs want to deliver a successful talent ID, recruitment, player development and talent transfer programme to unearth and recruit players of potential for both clubs, and not limit this to existing, traditional RL recruitment pathways.
“The academy will create a development team between the Under-16s to Under-18s age groups to benefit both Hull FC and Whitehaven alongside the community game.”
Former England and Great Britain international Crooks made 208 appearances for Hull FC as a player and played in three Challenge Cup Finals before joining Leeds.
He believes the programme will create a Super League pathway and exit route that compliments the work already being done in Cumbria, rather than looking to take players away from the area.
Crooks, who also coached at Keighley Cougars and was an England Regional Performance coach, added that the plan was to “provide a model that helps Whitehaven retain talent and gives Hull FC increased visibility in the region.”
He added: “We want to deliver a programme whereby Hull FC can actively promote, and grow, the sport in the West Cumbria area to benefit all parties and create a sustainable pathway which will include working with the sport’s governing body, the RFL, and support the vision of growth in the Cumbria Region.”
West Cumbria coach John Stables said: “The new development academy is a massive turning point in youth West Cumbrian rugby league.
“This gives lads a chance to step onto the professional scene, something not seen in the county since the days of Cumbria Storm. The days of our best performing kids going to the Wigans, Warringtons and Newcastles should be looked upon as not being good enough from what the county could offer.
“Now with Hull FC and Whitehaven RLFC forming an alliance we can hopefully keep them kids and offer them a chance of for filling their ambitions on their own door step.
“This will hopefully, in the long run, provide opportunities for lads, not just Whitehaven, but from the Workington and Barrow areas too. In a county where some see youth rugby in a slow decline, this could be just what’s needed to kick start an up-take in our game.”
Any player who wants to come down and be part of the Hull FC West Cumbria Development Academy at U15 (Yr 10) or U16 (Yr 11) or is interested in what is on offer can email Lee Crooks on [email protected]
