Bradford Bulls needing youth funds despite help already

That was announced yesterday, but while it is a moment to celebrate, Hunkin laid bare just how difficult the last few months have been for the youth set up, who do not get any central funding from the RFL to help out.

He told the T&A: “It’s great that pathway is there and, having got that elite academy licence, the club have backed us and we’ve worked hard.

“The work of the staff to help those young lads develop has been a shining light, but it’s been a challenging year.

“We need funds from schemes like #BullsNextGen to help us bring in more part-time and full-time staff, which will help take us where we want to go.

“We need that fan backing and it’s great we have lots of schemes like Squad Booster for the first team, and BullBuilder, who support the academy with things like equipment and trips.

“It’s around £140,000 per year to run the youth set-up here so to have that backing from supporters can really help us next year.”

Several of Bradford Bulls' new academy intake on the pitch at Odsal last Sunday. (Image: @OfficialBullsRL.)

Nine of the 19 new boys in the academy hail from one club, West Bowling, where Hunkin had a long spell as head coach.

Asked if this was a source of pride for him, he said: “It just shows how good Bradford junior teams are.

“West Bowling’s Under-16s won the treble, but the likes of Birkenshaw Blue Dogs and Queensbury are flying too, and Wyke are showing encouraging signs so teams in Bradford are doing great things.

“In the Yorkshire Men’s League, Birkenshaw have secured their league title, and Wibsey and Bradford Dudley Hill are fighting for another one.

“I think the format of rugby league is starting to pay off at that level, and I’m delighted we’re getting so many young players from the Bradford area into our pathways.

“Those who’ve stepped up will now have proper exposure to the academy environment, get a proper pre-season and just develop better.”

Wibsey Warriors and Bradford Dudley Hill have caught Ryan Hunkin's eye this season. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

Bulls’ interim first team head coach Lee Greenwood has mentioned previously about his players mixing with those from the club’s other sides down at Tong.

Asked if that had proved beneficial to his youth cohort, Hunkin said: “We had a whole club training day at Tong earlier in the year which was fantastic and you do get a lot of overlap in the corridors and interaction between the teams.

“We had (Bulls captain) Michael Lawrence speak to our scholars and take a session with them as part of his coaching qualification too.

“As part of his role as a PE teacher at New College Bradford, Michael’s going to be heading up our college development academy, where he’ll be working with (former Keighley Cougars man) Chris Cullimore.

“We’ll be pushing for the kids to develop in that environment as while they may be latecomers to rugby league, it gives them a chance to develop their education, as well as play under the Bulls banner.”

Bulls’ academy were part of the trial this summer where only tackles below the armpit, instead of below the shoulder, were legal.

Hunkin confirmed there will be a presentation to clubs in a couple of weeks to break down the data from those games, and that while it was a difficult adjustment for players, coaches and referees alike, he is completely understanding towards the potential new rule, as it is designed to make the game safer.