It's puzzling why....

[AstralPancakes]

Lots of interesting stuff and posters identifying potential contributing factors, all may play a part to differing degrees as would social factors,our area has lost its heavy industry,the pits and coke plants have gone and along with it a tough breed of men,a world you could become a part of at 15 or 16,and a place where you would grow up and toughen up quick. It was said if Cas needed a new forward you just shouted down the pit shaft and one would be up on the next cage.Where would you shout now? Environmental factors must come into it too,half a dozen streets around Ashton Road school produced half a Cas team and three internationals in three years,inconceivable now. Truth is it's not a just a Castleford problem or a British problem its worldwide. Those raw boned physical young British lads are in a minority sure some will come through but not in the quantities the game demands and are now more likely to come from Fiji,Samoa and Tonga than Redhill or Fryston. Turns out The zzPacific Islands are the new Glasshoughton,who'd a thought it.

Hard Times make hard men who make easy times which makes soft men who make hard times which makes hard men etc etc....... =-)

[cogito ergo sum]

Let's remember how children were introduced to sport in my childhood in Cutsyke from the 1950's

Everybody played out, always a ball game of one kind or another, or tigs etc, so all children were active. Not much money about so no materialism. Meant skills were learned from an early age, general fitness was higher, not many fat lads and lasses.
Junior schools and high schools played team sports and inter-school fixtures, and it had a high priority. Competition was valued. Plenty of amateur adult participation.
Not a lot of TV sport.
Times they are a changin', I'm afraid.