Half backs.......

[Tamworth Tiger]

James Clare?

Reckon James Clare will do a decent job, would rather see Greg Eden play wing than full back.

Sorry that was a reply to which players had come through the Cas system!

[Fumper27]

James Clare?

Reckon James Clare will do a decent job, would rather see Greg Eden play wing than full back.

Sorry that was a reply to which players had come through the Cas system!

But the initial poster asked about “elite” players, so not sure JC makes the cut

[gateman]

another halfback most have forgot we have sidelined is Rocky Hampshire one second team run out then out with a broken had i believe

[CasRugbyShirts]

To think that Cas as an area has only produced Danny Orr as a top level half back in the last 25 years is staggering.

Not sure what has happened but when you think of it who are the elite players who have come through in any position from Cas schools/local clubs this side of the millenium?

Daz Clark
Westerman
Watts

Anymore?

Michael Shenton.

[SuffolkTiger]

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who is or was involved in coaching locally or any of the club's retired players on this subject.

Specifically:
- Is there a lack of raw talent out there at youth level compared to 30 years ago?
- Has the well actually run dry or is it the pathway that isn't working?
- Does the problem start at a very young age in the schools?
- Are retired players utilised sufficiently in the development of young players?
- Are they doing things differently on the other side of the Pennines or on Humberside?

[cogito ergo sum]

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who is or was involved in coaching locally or any of the club's retired players on this subject.

Specifically:
- Is there a lack of raw talent out there at youth level compared to 30 years ago?
- Has the well actually run dry or is it the pathway that isn't working?
- Does the problem start at a very young age in the schools?
- Are retired players utilised sufficiently in the development of young players?
- Are they doing things differently on the other side of the Pennines or on Humberside?

1960s/70s. All Cas middle/junior / high schools played rugby, with regular fixtures and big numbers of interested kids. Each junior school had a number of male teachers ( no controversy intended, note) who played rugby themselves or were interested and involved. Games and sport were competitive in school, and were prioritised. In later years, competition was discouraged, Mr Baker (education minister) decided that teachers giving up spare time and goodwill was not valuable so introduced numbers of hours worked, so after-school activities slumped. Stricter Health and safety policies made teachers think twice about taking out of school activities.

In those years, all children played out, mostly with a ball, so skills were developed naturally. Kids were generally fitter. Kids got screens in more recent times.

These are not exclusive reasons, but some of them.

[Tamworth Tiger]

Just thinking about the two or three years around me at Cas High. There were loads. Just off the top of my head without much thought:- Steve Fenton, Terry Richardson, the Raine twins, Gary Hetherington, John Kear, Clive ( and Neil? ) Pickerill.
There were loads more slightly earlier including Roger Millward, Les Dyl, Bob Spurr etc etc
Can’t believe all that talent has totally dried up.