Knights seeking scholars

As reported by the Evening Press earlier this year, the Knights had put aside plans to begin an Academy team in order to concentrate on setting up a scholarship for younger players, deeming it more advantageous in the long-run.

Development officer Jason Ramshaw has now confirmed those plans are going ahead, with the club in the midst of the scholarship application process via the Rugby Football League.

"It will be a massive boost for the club and another major part of the club's development," Ramshaw told the Evening Press.

"It will give the youngsters a full pathway to play for the Knights, and we've not had anything like that before."

Ramshaw himself will head-up and oversee the scheme, which in its first year will take in elite players at two age levels, school years eight (under-13s) and nine (under-14s). The maximum number of players allowed is 12 per age group, while the scheme will also see new junior coaches and managers come on board, for which jobs adverts are in place.

The plan would be to add age groups as youngsters get older. In other words, in 12 months' time there would be schemes running at three age levels, U13s, U14s and U15s; then in two years' time, there would be schemes for U13, U14s, U15s and U16s; and so on. In line with that, current year seven players (U12s) are already being pinpointed in preparation for 2005.

Under RFL regulations, players in years eight and nine cannot join another club's scholarship scheme if their local club has offered them a place for that year, and the plan would be to keep youngsters at York ultimately all the way through to the first team.

"Gradually it will increase each year," said Ramshaw of the scheme. "I've had a few meetings with the RFL and they're quite keen and pro-active."

The Knights are now in the process of identifying top young talent to offer them places on the scheme.

Those players, explained Ramshaw, would then be "brought into the professional club environment and given a professional education", incorporating top coaching, healthy living and everything that helps them become a "good citizen and rugby league person".

TheSE scholarships would work in conjunction with the players' school education, while the lads will also continue to train and play for their amateur clubs. The North Yorkshire Service Area will also be connected.

Explained Ramshaw: "Hope-fully we can build and sustain some junior talent within York and North Yorkshire. I have no doubts that there is a lot of talent out there.

"We've had quite a few guys selected for regional and national camps and hopefully we can develop these youngsters further, with them going on to play for the Knights in years to come rather than leaving the city to play for clubs elsewhere.

"It's going to be a major coup for us and a really big tool in our drive to develop the club."

As for the previous Academy plans, Ramshaw explained: "The club had been talking about it but it's hard to have one without a junior structure. We need to start a bit further down and widen the base nearer the bottom of the pyramid."

There are three levels of scholarship schemes in the RFL. The first year is always a 'probationary' level and if the scheme is deemed good enough it then becomes an 'intermediate' scheme or, for those at the top of the tree, a 'world-class' scheme.

Ramshaw added: "A lot of funding is needed to sustain a world-class scheme but it is our long-term aim to achieve one."

JASON Ramshaw, meanwhile, is to go on tour to New Zealand with the British Police Rugby League Association later this year.

These tours have to be self-funded so Ramshaw has arranged a fund-raising clay pigeon shoot and barbecue for next Sunday, July 18 (when the Knights have no game due to the Arriva Trains Cup final).

The clay pigeon shoot will take place near Lotherton Hall and costs £20 per person, which includes the clays, gun-hire and cartridges. The shoot will be between 10am and noon and lasts about 90 minutes. Tuition will be provided by the Aberford CPSA.

The barbecue will follow at the Boot 'n' Shoe pub in Barkston Ash. Knights players and notable rugby personalities such as Darryl Powell and former York boss Paul Broadbent will be attending.

If you would like to go, or to support Ramshaw in his fundraising, contact him at the Knights office on 01904 656105.

THE Knights and neighbouring amateur outfit New Earswick All Blacks were among the first clubs to give their support to the recent fundraising initiative in aid of seriously injured RL players Matt King and Danny Scott.

As reported by this column, a dinner and auction was arranged by rugby league organisation 1895 Internatio-nal, in conjunction with the young players' respective clubs, London Broncos and Huddersfield, in order to support the trust funds that have been set up on their behalf.

And among an array of quality items up for auction were signed playing shirts from the Knights, Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings, an Irish Wolfhounds Victory Cup shirt and two specially produced shirts provided by the Broncos and the Giants.

In addition, a number of grassroots clubs also provided lots, including the All Blacks, Peterlee Pumas and Wolverhampton Wizards.

The event attracted a full house to Huddersfield's George Hotel and an impressive guest list including Huddersfield chairman Ken Davy, Broncos CEO Nick Cartwright, the Giants' Aussie star Julian Bailey and Sky Sports presenter Angela Powers. The auction and raffle raised £2,200.

1895 spokesman Tony Kenny said: "The response we received was nothing short of staggering. To be able to stage a sell-out event and attract the support of clubs across the rugby league family is a great testament to the spirit that still exists within our game."

Anyone wishing to make further donations to the fund should contact either Phil Jones (London Broncos: 0208 232 1564, 07813 360796, email development@londonbroncos. co.uk) or Jill Sykes (Huddersfield: 01484 548865, email jillsykes@ taylorhill.fsnet.co.uk).

Updated: 10:31 Saturday, July 10, 2004