ST HELENS junior clubs have always played a key role in nurturing Super League players for the future — and for a number of years that work has been rewarded with payments by the RFL collected from the pro clubs they have signed for.
Obviously the figures are small when it comes to the huge costs in running teams through the age groups from junior to open age level, but it reflects a small degree of recognition that can be ploughed back in.
Blackbrook have led the way in producing a conveyor belt of young players for Saints and other professional clubs and in return they have been compensated to the tune of £6,325 since January 2013.
The community compensation paid to other clubs during the same timescale is Pilkington Recs £2,499, Thatto Heath £3,121.50, Bold Miners £3,045 Clock Face Miners £395, Haydock £583, Portico £834, Newton Storm £640 and Haresfinch £268.
The system in place means that clubs in Super League or by a Championship or League 1 Club, who have a Category 1 or Category 2 Academy, pay £100 per player on first signing registration documents and £350 per player on first team debut.
On completion of 10 Super League first team matches £450 per player is paid to the junior club they have signed from.
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