This scheme was re-launched in September 2008 after a 3 year hiatus,
and is aimed at giving talented young players some additional coaching
to help them maximise their potential. Emphasis is on the development of
core skills and understanding of the importance of physical development.
The ultimate aim is to turn as many of our scholars as possible into
being good enough to earn professional contracts by the age of seventeen
or eighteen years old and playing rugby league is the end product, but
lifestyle activities and attitude play a big part in a player's make-up
and so education is a part of the process.

Scholarship currently runs on Monday nights at Ryburn High School at
Under 14's, Under 15's and Under 16's, with numbers capped at 12
per age group but will change to being solely Under 15's and Under
16's from September 2010, with squads of 24. This new system will
see a handful of matches at the end, replacing Service Area games, so
that performance and improvement can be monitored, and so will see the
introduction of team unit elements as well as the personal development
aspect.

The players on Halifax RLFC's Scholarship programme have been
identified through Service Area games and also from the local Junior
Amateur clubs and school rugby, and work through a programme set by
Halifax RLFC. The young players are among the best in the town at their
age, and whilst competition for the best young players is always fierce,
and there are local juniors who have chosen to go to Scholarships of
rival clubs, we remain confident that players exist in our system who
can develop into future First Team players.

This programme is written by Martin Gonzalez, who as Player Performance
Manager has overall responsibility for the scheme, as well as coaching
the under 16's. Colin Smith acts as Scholarship co-ordinator, and
ensures all paperwork is completed, and keeps in close contact with all
Scholars, ensuring the scheme runs smoothly. He also liaises closely
with the Scholarship Coaches Jason MacDonald, Grant Queen and Brian
Ainley, and with Bob Sweeney who helps in setting a programme of home
exercises for the Scholars to develop their strength. Steve Taylor and
Danny Fearon have also contributed to the scheme.

As a club with ambitions to return to Super League, Halifax RLFC
understands that it is crucial that it develops and nurtures its own
talent, and the Scholarship is a key part in this process. The
development of a strong, robust Youth setup is essential to the future
success of the club, and moves to strengthen Service Area and
re-introduce Academy sides to compliment the Scholarship are being
investigated. In time, as the club continues to demonstrate improvement
and hopefully realises its ambition of Super League status, the drain of
talented local youngsters will be halted, and the club will again
benefit from the strength of the local game.  

Under 14's ( year 9 )

Joshua Greenwood-MacDonald (King Cross Park RLFC)

Ben Hildred (King Cross Park RLFC)

Liam Whiting ( Elland RLFC )

Ryan Sweeney (King Cross Park RLFC)

Tom Goddard  ( Elland RLFC )

Kruise Leeming ( Siddal RLFC )

Shohaib Mahmood (King Cross Park RLFC)

Nick Rawsthorne ( Siddal RLFC )

Zak Thomson ( Elland RLFC )

Jordan Whippey ( Greetland All-Rounders )

Brodie Wilson ( Old Brods RUFC )  

Under 15's ( year 10 )

Sam Graham ( Siddal RLFC )

Josh Saltonstall (King Cross Park RLFC)

Jordan Batty (King Cross Park RLFC)

Niall Berrett ( Siddal RLFC )

William Colbeck ( Siddal RLFC )

Callum Dunne (King Cross Park RLFC)

Taylor Fearon (King Cross Park RLFC)

Macauley Higgins ( Siddal RLFC )

Josh Hunt (King Cross Park RLFC)

Jake Smith (King Cross Park RLFC)  

Under 16's ( year 11 )

Ahjay Hussain ( Siddal RLFC )

Adam Russell ( Siddal RLFC )

Thomas Shaw ( Siddal RLFC )

Connor Clayton ( Ovenden )

Luke Dennis ( Siddal RLFC )

Jorge Fairbank ( Elland RLFC )

Tom Hall ( Elland RLFC )

Cameron Regan ( Ovenden )

Matthew Tallis ( Elland RLFC )

Lewis Taylor ( Ovenden )

Brent Taylor ( Ovenden )