THE Rugby Football League's new player production policy will commence in 2016.

The aim is to produce more and better players at all levels of the game, ultimately producing players that excel at domestic and in international level competitions.

The policy runs from under 7s through to First Utility Super League. It includes a number of different programmes such as a new primary rugby league format, the development of high quality talent development environments and player development camps - both as part of the Embed the Pathway programme and the Academy Under-16 and Under-19 programmes.

The player production policy came out of the game-wide policy review in 2013 and has been developed over the last two years through extensive consultation with the three key constituents: Super League, the Kingstone Press Championship and the wider community game.

RFL chief operating Officer Ralph Rimmer said: “The first focus of everyone in Rugby League is to support our young players as they develop through our sport.

"The player production policy supports players and reduces the risk of over-playing and under-preparation as well as promoting the embed-the-pathway programme of player development which is available to all players at all community clubs and schools.”

Pat Crawshaw, chairman of the community board player production sub-group, said: “Consultation has been key to the production of this policy with new lines of communication across the different sectors of the game being a positive outcome.

"It is to be hoped that now the whole game will embrace this policy for the benefit of Rugby League at all levels. The community board will continue to monitor progress.”

Information evenings will be held with community clubs in December 2015.

More information about primary rugby league, and the embed-the-pathway programme, can be found via the addresses below.

primaryrugbyleague.co.uk

therfl.co.uk/england_rl/embed_the_pathway