Having an academy is seen as a must among most rugby league fans but unfortunately not every Super League club has an academy.
The most successful Super League clubs have the best academies. Leeds Rhinos built their Golden Generation on the back of their academy whilst St Helens have built a number of successful teams thanks to their academy meanwhile Wigan Warriors have had a similar approach.
Warrington Wolves and the two Hull clubs have tried to emulate this formula as well and many great young players have emerged from Super League clubs in recent times.
But due to the interesting rules around academies not every club can have them. Further, IMG don’t factor academies into their gradings to the dismay of many fans.
With that in mind here is every club in Super League who don’t have an academy in the RFL’s official competition.
Catalans Dragons
Catalans don’t have an academy in the RFL’s competition anymore but do have an academy set up with their second team playing in the French Elite One Championship. The young players move up the rankings in their academy set up until reaching the second side in the French Elite One and this often their pathway to the first team.
Leigh Leopards
The Leopards have made it very clear through their owner Derek Beaumont that they want an academy but so far haven’t been allowed to have an academy by the RFL. Fortunately, the club have been able to launch a reserves side in 2024 after being unable to do so in 2023. They are holding try outs for the side in 2024.
London Broncos
In one of the most controversial moments at the end of 2023, London Broncos decided to give up their elite academy licence. The Broncos decided to do so due to the money they spend on their academy. They instead want to utilise that money elsewhere to boost their IMG score moving forward.
Salford Red Devils
Salford Red Devils are also not involved in the RFL’s academy league but do have a reserves side set up. Like other clubs with no academies, the Red Devils have their own alternatives.
