On Wednesday 1st May, Wakefield Trinity will break from the norm with the scholarship fixture against Hull FC to play a series of 10-a-side games..

The joint initiative was the brainchild of Wakefield Head of Youth, Ben Lazenby and supported by the progressive youth staff at Hull FC.

On the game, Ben said: “We (the game) constantly compare these 14, 15 and 16 year olds to adult Super League players and expect them to perform in that guise. Development is a much more complex process and players show different levels of understanding, maturity, physical development and potential through different ways and at different times.

The game has a tendency to rush the development of young players and throughout our whole Academy pathway. We are looking at adopting an approach that allows development to occur over a longer time, using different training stimulus and playing opportunities. The Scholarship have already played three 13-a-side fixtures and the opportunity to change the picture for the players and look at them through a different lens is fantastic.

I am really pleased that we are able to pioneer this approach and that Pete Riding at Hull FC has been so open and progressive to run with it for the same reasons that we see in the development of our young players. I am most excited about seeing all of our Scholarship players being involved in the games, instead of making a selection on a small proportion of the squad. All players get to showcase their ability and express themselves.

We are playing modified rules within the games that promote skill, vision, game understanding and execution of opportunities when they present themselves. The 10-a-side games will be played on a full pitch, so lots of space to both attack and defend. The retreat will only be 7 metres so will create a different challenge to the players. We are also constraining the tackle area with a maximum of 2 in the tackle, so technique will have to be spot on.

We hope that both sides will embrace the development of this competitive playing opportunity and that all parents and coaches of the players will get behind the format as it should provide a fantastic showcase of pure rugby skill and execution.”

Alongside the games, Ben and new Community Rugby League Development Manager, Alex Bielby have invited all the community club coaches and school sports teachers to attend the game, introduce themselves and their intentions for the player development pathway and community programmes. Also in attendance will be England U18 Head Coach Paul Anderson who will introduce his role and between the three staff, will run a CPD about player development.

The club would like to invite as many community club coaches, school teachers and volunteers as possible down to take part in this CPD opportunity.

If you’d like to attend the event, please fill out the short form below to confirm your attendance;

https://forms.office.com/e/QW8hNcWe8n

The agenda for the evening will look as follows;

1730 meet at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, Doncaster Road, Wakefield WF1 5EY

1745 Coach CPD Event Begins

1900 Scholarship Game Kick off

2030 Coach CPD Event Finishes