Dave Craven: Lessons beginning to pay off as youngsters burst through

"Teach them well and let them lead the way," she reckoned.

Now, teenage rugby league players might not be who the soul diva was directly referring to. I imagine it was a slightly younger and more generalised vintage although what if it had been and Whitney is actually a closet supporter of the game?

We could have her pitching up at Belle Vue for a pre-match singalong. Even in her slightly more ragged recent state, that makes Jedward's crazed appearance at Warrington Wolves look as flat as a Chico tribute act.

The younger generation certainly are the game's future though and, if the opening round of Super League is anything to go by, its present as well.

A quick scan of the grounds and there were kids cropping up everywhere producing stellar feats whether at Belle Vue where 19 year-old winger Dale Morton notched a brace to help Wildcats defeat Catalans or Hull FC's Tom Briscoe who emerged speeding through the fog for a glorious 90-metre try at St Helens.

At 21, Leroy Cudjoe is a little older but in scoring twice for Huddersfield during their victory over Bradford further added consistency to the theory that some excellent English talent is definitely coming to the fore. At two years younger, his Giants team-mate Michael Lawrence is keeping a seasoned Kiwi international out of the side, proving overseas players don't always get their way and strangle domestic hope.

Joe Westerman, 20, contributed 10 points as Castleford stunned champions Leeds Rhinos while Chris Riley, 21, ran in five tries as Warrington thumped Harlequins.

All these are English-born players, taught well and now, undoubtedly, leading the way as a new season gets moving. And they are only the ones mainly singled out for scoring. So many others delivered polished performances without making headlines.

The RFL's decision to gradually reduce the number of quota spots is paying dividends and they should be congratulated for the moves made to ensure this was allowed to happen. The removal of relegation means anxious clubs can no longer cite the fear factor as an excuse to ignore inexperienced players and the new dual registration system in place for 2010 further bolsters the chances of youngsters excelling.

Aimed at young Super League players who are thought to be not quite ready to make the step up to regular top-flight first-team duties, it offers them the opportunity to gain valuable match experience with a Championship or Championship One club.

The player must have been under 23 on August 31 last year to qualify and is eligible to play and train with both squads.

Each club can sign up to four players but only three from one individual Super League outfit.

Currently, 17 players are benefitting with Huddersfield Giants linking up Alex Brown, Keale Carlile and Josh Griffin at Batley Bulldogs and Leeds Rhinos also allowing Michael Coady (Featherstone Rovers) and Kyle Amor (Whitehaven) to get match action in the Championship. Leigh are also making full use of the system acquiring three of Warrington Wolves' finest Academy products including Tyrone McCarthy.

Widnes have young winger Sean Ainscough, as well as Liam Farrell, the cousin of former Great Britain captain Andy while Castleford's Richard Lopag is with Gateshead.

The initiative is in its early throes but is another welcome advancement while there is no risk of burn-out; the player is restricted to playing one fixture per scheduled round of fixtures so would not be eligible to play in a Championship game on a Thursday and for his Super League club later that weekend.

"Everybody searching for a hero, people need someone to look up to," so the song continued.

There's plenty of Super League heroes in the making; and thankfully many are going to be English.