As revealed last month, the Club has been awarded an Elite Academy Licence.
Since that day, work is well underway to establish a complete pathway programme for aspirational rugby league players in the local area.
The Development Academy, Rising Stars programme, the innovative REDS Programme and a remodelled Reserves’ set-up will allow us to build on already firm foundations.
With some key additions, including the recently advertised Head of Youth position, the Club will be able to create an environment that is attractive to any young player.
This is not just a step-forward for the Club, but something that will benefit the entire City of Salford.
As those changes are put in place, here are some of the major benefits this license will bring:
RETAINING THE BEST TALENT
Ultimately, retaining the best talent in the city will allow the club to develop and supplement our first-grade squad.
There are several players currently in the Betfred Super League, Championship and League 1 who began their careers in our previous youth development system.
The likes of Niall Evalds, Stefan Ratchford, Jake Bibby and two-time Lance Todd winner – and current Man of Steel leader – Marc Sneyd all graduated under the previous licence.
The ultimate goal is to see more of these players representing Salford Red Devils on a regular basis.
THE RED THREAD
As a club, we proudly represent our city and our community. This pride is shared by every person who wears the badge, on and off the field.
It is critical that we reflect our community in our values, attitudes and behaviours.
The RED Thread is the DNA of our club, and we ensure every player coming through our pathway programme understands the privilege of representing Salford Red Devils.
In addition to training and development linked to rugby league, our education provision is centred on developing good people first, as well as athletes.
In addition to the academic aspects of our Education Curriculum, ‘The Salford Way’ will be focused on developing character through mental toughness, personal development programmes and pastoral/academic support.
CREATING A SUCCESSFUL ENVIRONMENT
Already in place are several highly qualified individuals who have worked extremely hard to get us to this position.
We believe that by supplementing that, we can create a successful environment for every aspiring athlete. Players within that pathway will now have access to an environment of excellence, which they are immersed in to develop as players and people.
In designing the programmes for the academy, there has been a complete focus on ensuring that a common approach is transferred throughout the club from the first team right through to our player pathway programmes.
That ensures all players from the Salford Red Devils Emerging England Programme, Academy and Reserves receive the same development diet as our first team squad.
This also ensures young players receive the best possible support to progress through the Pathway Programme to representing the club in Super League.
WORKING CLOSELY WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CLUBS
The Club and the Salford Red Devils Foundation, supported by the Salford Rugby League Strategy, will further enhance the Building the Future programme.
We have a strong relationship with all our Community Clubs, which are based upon increasing participation in the sport, player and coach development, and a mechanism to identify local talent to join our Pathway Programme.
We have very strong links throughout our Schools and Community Clubs, and we will work closely with all of them to identify talented young players, as well as supporting coach and player development.
This will be across all five clubs: Salford City Roosters, Cadishead Rhinos, Westhoughton Lions, Langworthy Reds and Folly Lane.
