SEEING the work of Bradford Bulls' Academy come to fruition has been a long time coming for Leigh Beattie.

This campaign, he has become best known for holding the fort at first-team level while the wait for Geoff Toovey's visa drags on... and on.

But Beattie's primary role at Odsal is coaching the next generation of Bulls stars, in his capacity as Under-19s boss.

With the production line of talent that continues to flow through the academy set-up, it should be a hugely satisfying role.

However, the Bulls' off-field issues in recent years have ensured it is bitter-sweet for Beattie and co.

The January exits of Wyke product Cameron Scott, to Hull FC, and Queensbury lad Jacob Trueman, to Castleford, were just the latest blows in a very long line.

"We've lost players to Super League clubs, and the administrations have hit us very hard," Beattie remarked.

"We start to see the fruits of the Academy's work, then there's an admin and we lose players. Then we get it back again and the cycle repeats itself.

"It's massively disappointing to identify, work with and develop these players but then see them move on.

"We've seen it recently with a couple of young England internationals we had – local kids like Cameron Scott, who has gone to Hull.

"It's sad to see them go but at the end of the day, given the circumstances, you can't fault any of those that left.

"Things are settling down now and there's a bit more stability, so hopefully we'll see the fruits of that work this time.

"This is our third rebuild, and we have still got some real quality players in there who we have managed to keep hold of.

"There's a few lads in the current Under-19s who could do very well in the game – I won't name names but there's definitely a good group."

While results aren't the be-all and end-all at academy level, the 2017 crop of youngsters have been enjoying some encouraging scorelines this season.

Their victory in the capital against London Broncos' young guns was particularly impressive two weekends ago.

More recently, the Bulls were edged out 22-20 by an experienced Widnes Vikings in a cracking game at Odsal last week.

Tries from Jay Panter and Matthew Fletcher saw them surge 10-0 ahead, but the lead was to change hands four times with Alix Stephenson and Will Moxon also crossing the whitewash as the hosts came up just short.

Identifying the best young talent from the local area is half the battle for the Bulls' academy, and Beattie believes they have all bases covered in that area.

He explained: "There's some really good local talent around and we have an excellent scouting network with Robin Sharp and John Bastian.

"They go out and look at players, and bring the ones with the most potential into the academy.

"We look for good lads as well – it's not just about ability for us. They have to have that work ethic and be good people, which gives them a much higher chance of succeeding.

"It's a combination of things. We seem to have a good mix and we've done all right with everything else that's been going on.

"Touch wood, we'll get some more decent professionals out of this crop of young lads."

Wigan Super League star John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead of NRL outfit Canberra Raiders show the pathway young Bulls players can follow to the top of the game.

And Beattie believes there are a number of gems in the current squad who could go all the way – preferably with their home-town club.

"There's a definite conveyor belt in place that is getting these kids through and ready for senior action," he said.

"We've got young lads playing first-team now who have come right through our system – players like Ethan Ryan, Liam Kirk and Jordan Pickersgill. They're all last year's Under-19s and doing really well at the moment.

"There's also Brandan Wilkinson and James Bentley, who can still play '19s' well, so they're doing great.

"James has done really well and has been involved in every game from that first one at Huddersfield. He's getting better and better.

"He's got a lot of developing to do and I'm not sure back row will be his position, but he's doing a great job there and is another who could have a big future."