JACK STEARMAN is cutting a frustrated figure at present given the shock news that York City Knights’ community development office is under threat. But it seems his biggest concern is not his own future but that of the player pathway in place for youngsters in the area.

As reported by The Press this week, a massive reduction in Sport England’s handout to the Rugby Football League has seen the RFL in turn withdraw its funding to the Knights’ community office and those of fellow Championship clubs.

If no new funding avenues open up, Stearman’s job as the sole remaining development officer is set to end, as are all the schools visits, competitions and programmes he and his team of volunteers and players deliver.

Stearman is also the Knights’ under-20s manager and, as the club cannot afford to keep him on without the aforementioned funding, then that role will have to be taken on by the few club staff that remain, increasing the work load of general manager Ian Wilson and/or U20s coach and first-team captain James Ford.

In addition, Stearman coaches on behalf of the Knights in the York College rugby league development and also heads up the new elite development programme at Huntington Stadium – effectively a scholarship involving players from under-13s to U16s – and what happens with these remains to be seen.

Naturally, therefore, it remains to be seen what happens to the player pathway from school to amateur club to scholarship to U20s to first team. Without the develoment office playing its part, this pathway will take a sizeable hit and, worryingly, the production line could feasibly dry up.

It is pretty ironic, then, that this should happen now, just when the club are seeing more and more benefits of their youth programme, with the number of players getting first-team recognition having come through the system in one way or another now comfortably into double figures in the past year alone.

Stearman said: “I don’t want to stop the good work we’ve been doing. It’s important for parents, kids, fans and schools to see us in the community.

“On top of that, the pathway disappears for rugby league.

“It’s very frustrating. It’s important the work we do in and around the community continues. It’s important we offer that pathway. it’s important kids learn about healthy lifestyles.

“Ian Wilson remembers watching (first-teamer) Kriss Brining at a schools match several years ago when he was the development officer. Look at Kriss now. It’s important to get kids interested in the sport at a young age. Some schools can do that but many can’t and it’s important we’re there doing it, even if it’s just for exercise or to enjoy themselves.”

He added: “Rugby league is a great game, a great team sport. But who will be developing it. Sport England need to be made more aware of this. York City Knights are funding the post at the moment but I know they can’t afford to continue doing so. There needs to be more reward for what we’re trying to do from Sport England and the RFL.”

The Knights have begun talks with City of York Council with a view to finding a solution, be it from direct council funding, or via avenues it can open up. Bids will continue to go to charities looking to provide healthy living programmes.

There is a chance money could also be gleaned from a new Government initiative in which sports clubs deliver schools programmes directly. Sponsorship is also crucial, especially in the short term, and anyone interested can phone Stearman on 01904 767404.

Stearman added: “We do lots of good work with a healthy living aspect, such as our programme with Heart Research UK and all these things. We’ve done work with Sainsbury’s, Phoenix Software and Shepherd’s – I don’t want to let them down. We want to continue that good work.

“It’s important that children do receive that kind of education from clubs like us on things like healthy living. We get a fantastic reaction when we go into schools.

“There are avenues for funding, but if nothing arises from them, what happens to these schools programmes, or the U20s set-up? There will be no-one to run them. You could get volunteers but it’s a very time-consuming job behind the scenes. It’s pretty much a full-time job for someone on top of the job they already do.”

At the community department’s peak, there were three development officers in the area, plus North Yorkshire Service Area officers and a League For All officer, with York, Scarborough and the rest of North Yorkshire covered. Now, with the RFL having already cut back their community staff here, Stearman is the only one remaining – for now.


THIS bombshell comes just after the Knights launched their elite development programme. Hopefully this will continue, whatever happens, and help bring players through to the under-20s.

Stearman and co have held trials, attended by more than 80 players with all of North Yorkshire’s junior rugby league clubs represented, and the following players have been selected at the four different age groups to receive elite coaching from the club.

U13s: Leo Baker, Lucas Hindle (both York Acorn), Max Carry, Jamie Morrison, Shay North (all Heworth) Lewis Coward, Brandon I’Anson, Lester Massey, Oliver Raynor (all Selby Warriors), Ewen Coverdale, George Hunt (both New Earswick), Arron McBride (Catterick Crusaders).

U14s: Lewis Brown, Morgan Lindley, Devon Padgett, Harry Sheriston (all Heworth), Conor Calam, Ben Harris, Dom Judge, Joe MacDonald, Reece Piggot (all New Earswick), Jamie Dunleavey (Catterick Crusaders), Bradley Hood (North Yorkshire Wildcats), Jack Wynard (York Acorn).

U15s: Jacob Sunderland, Jack Smith, Harry Radcliffe, Charlie Hill, Will Ireland, Aaron Naismith, Adam Penistone, Luke Adamson, Milo Dawson, Robin Page (all Heworth), Matthew Chilton, Brad Winters, William Atkins, Ben Tordoff (all York Acorn), Matthew Wray (Catterick).

U16s: Jonny Hopwood, Max Colley, Ryan Price, Alex Wilkins (New Earswick), Lewis Hartley, Jonny Rawsthorne, Billy Sturdy (all Heworth), Jedd Bainbridge (North Yorkshire Wildcats), Jake Calam, Alex Smith (both York Acorn).


AS for Jack Stearman himself, he’s also looking for a new club to play for having left Gateshead Thunder.

The prop played five times for the Championship One outfit, scoring one try. “Things weren’t working out as hoped,” he said.


FOR the record, players to have gone into the Knights’ first team from the U20s in the past year, as proudly pointed out by U20s coach James Ford the other day, are Harry Carter, Tim Stubbs, Liam Ellis (now with Sheffield), Greg Minikin, Ash Haynes, Jack Pickles, Tyler Craig, Gareth Poutney (no longer at the club) and Ryan Mallinder. James Morland and Luke Tomlinson have also played in first-team friendlies.

Additionally, Kriss Brining, Ed Smith and Ben Dent are now regularly in the first-team frame having previously come through the system.


NOW for the “veterans”. Jonny Presley, as reported in The Press, passed a notable landmark last week – hitting 200 appearances in his professional career in England.

Presley has played for Featherstone (39 games, 2003-2005), Sheffield (46 games, 2005-2007), Keighley (75 games, 2008-2010) and current club York (40 games, 2011 and 2013). He also had a stint in Australia with Fremantle Roosters last year.


FORMER Knights winger Waine Pryce needs three tries to reach 150 for his career.

Pryce has scored 80 for Castleford (2000-2006), five for Wakefield (2007), 24 for Featherstone (2008-09), 35 for Hunslet (2010-11 and 2013), and, ahem, three for York (2012).


TOMORROW’S match at Featherstone is the last game in May and we are therefore asking for player of the month votes.

To send in your vote, email peter.martini@thepress.co.uk or follow the Knights and player of the month links on www.thepress.co.uk.

The latest Player of the Year standings will be updated on this page next week. The winner of the monthly accolade gets three bonus points for his player of the year tally.