WARRINGTON Wolves' youth programme received a boost this week.

Former Great Britain coach Malcolm Reilly selected three of the Wolves' junior Academy players for the national youth squad in preparation for the Academy World Cup in Australia in 2001.

Tom Kilgannon, Steve Maden and Kris Tickle will join the initial squad of 25 in a series of camps run by Reilly, the Wolves' Paul Darbyshire and Graham Steadman of Castleford.

Darbyshire said: "Tom, Kris and Steve have been outstanding in their first year of Academy rugby and thoroughly deserve their call-up.

"Although the Academy World Cup is 12 months away it is important to get the players together, carry out assessments and make sure the basic skills are sound, and the players are fortunate to have someone of Malcolm's calibre assisting them."

The future looks bright with a number of last year's Academy Grand finalists pushing for first team places. Paul Noone, Chris Campbell and Will Cowell have already broken through.

The foundations are now well in place to continue this flow of quality players through the ranks. The Wolves' Scholarship scheme, which consists of squads at under 14, 15 and 16 age groups, was one of the first to be certified by the Rugby Football League and is seen as a model for other clubs.

Darbyshire said: "We are now into the second year of the programme and players are starting to come through into the Academy squad. We currently have seven players who have graduated through the scheme, most of whom are local players."

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