A game-wide desire is gaining momentum.
05:00, 09 Dec 2025Updated 10:49, 09 Dec 2025
Hull FC centre Ryan Westerman. (Image: Hull FC)
Hull FC Head of Youth Richard Tate has stated that the RFL are pushing for a more thorough reserves league from the 2027 season.
Hull Live reported last month that there is a desire within the game for an expanded competition the season after next, with the governing body now pushing for that hope to become a reality.
The current reserves league is played on a biweekly basis with clubs playing 12 fixtures. But the consensus is that total isn’t enough, with some clubs now driving the incentive alongside the RFL for a more thorough league.
Speaking to Hull Live, Tate said: “There are a lot of us within the game now, a lot of clubs and a lot of heads of youths that are pushing for an expanded competition. It’s just trying to convince the owners
“I think the RFL wants it and recognises the importance of it. There are some great people within the RFL development system that want that. They’ve been previously involved with academies or youth systems, and I know Paul Anderson and Phil Jones are two people who are driving it.
“A lot of it is down to the clubs and whether they want it or not. At Hull FC, Richie, Andrew and David see the value in it, and especially John Cartwright.
“Reserves gives lads longer in the system and gives them a competitive platform after 18, which is a massive thing. We’re trying to produce players, as are other clubs, but only 17 can play each week, and for the rest of them, what it is?
“Sitting in the stands and watching their mates is no good for their development and their confidence going forward. Having a proper, strong, and competitive reserve league where everybody buys into it is massive and needs to happen.“
One concern with a thorough reserves league is the squad needed to fill it. However, Hull have been exploring avenues to solve that issue. They announced a partnership with the University of Hull this year which sees the university’s rugby league team train with the Black and Whites second-string squad and made available to play games. The hope is to develop players that have perhaps fallen out of academies and who are still in education.
Tate explained: “We’ve got a number of part-time players who are not quite ready to be in that full-time environment, but because they have come through an education system with us, that allows them to get jobs and have other focuses while having that avenue to play.
“The reserves squad will then be topped up on a matchday by the young first-team players, like Will Kirby, Will Hutchinson, Ryan Westerman, etc. It’s a good team and will be led by Danny Houghton.
“He’s taking to coaching post-playing like a duck to water. He’s loving it. He will still assist Francis with the academy so he’ll still be learning. Franny will be his mentor, which will be great. Our reserves are in a good spot. The challenge is just getting them more opportunities to play.”