Academy builders

As reported by the Evening Press, the Knights have already outlined their desire to run an Academy, which would not only strengthen the future success of the club but also give young local talent a stairway to stardom.

One proviso is that the club have sufficient funds to make it viable, and that is where the fans have stepped in.

The York Rugby League Supporters' Club are launching a fundraising initiative - called Academy Builder - with the sole objective of raising the funds needed to set up the Under-21 scheme for next season.

A press release issued by the fans' group said: "An Academy side is import to the development of York City Knights and all young rugby league players in the city.

"We hope that the young talent in York and North Yorkshire will develop in the Knights' Academy and will become the nucleus of the first team squad in years to come.

"The Supporters' Club is looking forward to working with the Knights in building for the long-term future of rugby league in York and North Yorkshire."

Leaflets outlining the aims of Academy Builder will be distributed at tomorrow's game against Keighley.

FIRST York will again team up with the Knights to run free buses to and from Huntington Stadium for tomorrow's match against Keighley.

Buses will go from:

Thanet Road Baths departing 2pm, then Stonebow Job Centre 2.15pm;

Burton Stone Lane (Corner House) 2pm, then Lowther Street (shops) 2.15pm;

York Railway Station forecourt from 2pm to meet trains from Keighley, departing 2.20.

All return buses will leave Huntington Stadium at 5pm prompt.

THE Knights are to take an active role in raising funds for the Jack Harrison Memorial Fund appeal, particularly tomorrow.

Harrison, who started his rugby league career at York before making his name with his hometown club, Hull, is British rugby league's sole Victoria Cross holder, an honour bestowed posthumously for his efforts in the First World War during which he died while saving others.

As reported by this column several weeks ago, Hull fans have launched an appeal to create a unique and lasting tribute to Harrison, who came to the Minster city before the Great War to train as a schoolteacher. Plans are in place for a memorial plinth at the entrance of Hull's new KC Stadium to commemorate his life and courage.

The Jack Harrison funds would also go towards helping disadvantaged children in rugby league circles.

Knights chairman Roger Dixon said: "A contingent from Hull will be coming to the York versus Keighley game tomorrow, despite Hull's game at Widnes, to do a bucket collection, and they have our full backing. I hope our fans support the worthy appeal generously."

Harrison played for Hull FC from 1912-16 and holds the record as leading try scorer in any one season, with 52. He later enlisted into the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment and won his VC in action, being killed in 1917.

THE Knights have switched their Friday night training base to York's St Peter's School, ironically a rugby union-playing school.

They continue to train at Huntington Stadium on other nights but once a week take use of the excellent facilities at St Peter's.

YORK-based firm Arriva Trains Northern have stepped up their rugby league sponsorship.

Arriva, who already sponsor the National League's Arriva Trains Cup competition, the Arriva Trains Conference (formerly National Conference League) and the Knights in a shirt-sleeve deal, are to become major community development partners of the Rugby Football League in a six-figure deal which also comprises Sportsmatch funding.

The 'Arriva Trains Northern Sportsmatch Development Scheme' will be the first national scheme to incorporate a comprehensive girls' programme, which will see qualified coaches visit schools to introduce girls to the sport and culminate in a series of festivals across the country.

The programme, which will see more than 5,000 youngsters receive education in core skills, will support National League club programmes - the Knights have already got a primary school development scheme up and running thanks to Guildford Construction and Sportsmatch sponsorship - and junior clubs schemes across the nation and will be the first to be a co-ordinated national initiative.

The scheme was launched in Rochdale last week, as the first of the girls programmes came to its conclusion ahead of the Arriva Trains Cup final between Leigh and Salford.

Cougars call for direct ascent

KEIGHLEY coach Gary Moorby last week let known his objection to the promotion system in National League Division Two.

The Cougars, who visit Huntington Stadium tomorrow, top the table by four points half-way through the season, having lost once in nine games, and are clear favourites to finish the regular season on top of the pile.

However, the rules state that although the bottom team in Division One are automatically relegated, the top team in Division Two do not win automatic promotion. Only the Division Two play-off winners are guaranteed to go up, while the play-off losers get a second chance in a separate play-off against the second-worst Division One side.

Moorby, understandably given his team's position, wanted the top team to win straight promotion. He told trade paper League Weekly: "It is absolutely ludicrous. You could have a great run of games, finish top by ten points then get a glut of injuries and miss out in the play-offs - you can't tell me that is fair."

Personally I think he has a point. If you win the league, you have been the best team over the the season so deserve to play at a higher level.

That said, I don't agree with him as regards injuries. You could have a glut in midseason - the Knights have suffered more than their fair share - and that could stop you finishing top, just as much as they could stop you winning the play-offs. Furthermore, rugby league is a sport and luck has a crucial role to play in what makes sport special.

Perhaps more significantly, though, the rules were agreed by all clubs at the start of the campaign.

What's more, as things stand the play-off system might end up working in the Knights' favour - and that is the most important thing, isn't it. (Naturally, if York upset the odds and end the season on top, I will happily change my tune.)

Updated: 12:25 Saturday, July 12, 2003