FORWARD-THINKING York Wasps are investigating the possibility of forming a new reserve team next season.

The lack of an Alliance or Under-21 side has created problems over the last couple of seasons but due to financial constraints it has not been feasible.

However, chief executive Ann Garvey said it was one of a number of areas they would be exploring during the close season.

She said: "It's something we have got to look at closely. Everyone in the club over the last six months has realised there is a need for it but we just couldn't afford to pay the players.

"You have to pay an A-team, you don't have to pay an Academy. I'm not fully informed but I believe there might be plans to concentrate more on the Under-21s instead of the Academy so we'll have to look at it.

"But it would depend on sponsorship, the response to season tickets, what first team would be in place and how big a squad we would have."

In the last couple of years Alliance teams have switched from just reserve sides to an Under-21 set-up with a limited number of 'open age' players, bridging the gap between the Academy and the first team.

York's failure to provide an A-team means they have been unable to bridge the gap so players have had nowhere to develop once they become ineligible for the Academy.

Caretaker coach Garry Atkins has this week emphasised the need for that to change, not just to develop youngsters but also for players lacking match fitness.

He has called the lack of an A-team "a false economy", claiming that players sometimes have to be thrust into the thick of the action back into action when they are not fit enough for the rigours of the Northern Ford Premiership.

That causes further injury which adds to the woes of an already small squad.

This season, only six NFP clubs have chosen not to run Alliance teams. Lancashire, Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull KR, and Swinton are the others.