Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Youngsters are taught to be "second to none" and be "better than the rest" while encouraged to "turn promise into a reality". And what an affect this three-year plan has had already on the 2009 Engage Super League club of the year.

The Giants finished third in the regular season last year - their record finish in Super League - and reached the Carnegie Challenge Cup final with local youngsters Leroy Cudjoe (pictured above), Michael Lawrence and Elliot Hodgson impressing at certain times in the season. With three wins from five in 2010 and preparing to take on champions Leeds at home on Sunday, Huddersfield are off to an impressive start.

Damian McGrath, who has a rich coaching history in both codes, has been in charge of youth development at the club since September 2008 and has ensured the academy no longer plays second fiddle to local rivals Bradford and Leeds. To beat the two teams consistently on the pitch, the Giants have to at least match off it.

McGrath firmly believes that Huddersfield are doing this. "For a long time we've lived in the Bulls' shadow, but I feel we're matching them on and off the field," the former Batley player said.

"As for Leeds, they might have better resources but we're not doing anything different to them. The big clubs had got complacent and we're rapidly catching them."

Having concentrated early on in his role of helping recruit a coaching team that had ambition, a desire to learn, a pedigree and an affinity with the club, McGrath is now actively seeking youngsters who he gets a "gut feeling" about.

"We no longer make coaches justify why they're recommending a player. As long as they feel the player has that special something about him, we'll take a look."

While Cudjoe and Lawrence haven't come through the 'Giants Causeway' scheme, they are standard bearers for the current academy squad. Youngsters can see how successful they've been - Lawrence was named 13th best teenager in the world in 2009 - and strive to emulate them.

As well as the local inspirations, the academy groups have enjoyed coaching from Super League's Man of Steel 2009, Australian Brett Hodgson (pictured left), who has been working with the current under 16s squad.

Some critics may point to last year's disappointing league results by the Huddersfield academy sides as a sign the new youngsters aren't good enough, but McGrath is unconcerned.

"We put our best youngsters in the reserve team, to help them develop better," said McGrath. "Other teams are keeping their most talented players for the academy sides, so on paper it looks like they've been successful.

"We measure our youngsters' success on how many make it into the first team, not on junior trophies, and last year we had nine home-grown players in the first team squad."

Refreshingly, a sporting team has found success by promoting youngsters from the local area into their team, unlike many others, who feel the need to import players from abroad for a quick-fix solution.

Bradford Bulls went the opposite direction during pre-season by purchasing four Australian players in an attempt to make up for last year's failings. It doesn't need pointing out that Huddersfield comfortably saw off Bradford's challenge in their opening Super League encounter.

Huddersfield's current under 16s are about to travel to Australia on tour. McGrath, and the rest of the hierarchy at the Galpharm, are only interested in the best possible preparation for their youngsters, who they will be hoping can contribute to the first-team, who are looking to end the almost half century wait for league or cup success.