Yorkshire Carnegie’s famous Academy closes down as cutbacks begin to bite

England's Danny Care in action during the RBS Six Nations match at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 24, 2018. See PA story RUGBYU Scotland. Photo credit should read: Ian Rutherford/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission.

A source has confirmed to the YEP that the National One outfit’s 10 remaining employees were all made redundant on Monday.

Seven members of staff and three players were all given the bad news as Covid-19 hammered the final nail into the coffin of a set-up that has developed a host of England internationals over the years.

The cash-strapped former Premiership club has been in turmoil both on and off the field for some time, leading to their switch from professional to part-time status last summer.

England's Luther Burrell (centre) looks to break through the Welsh line during the Old Mutual Wealth Cup match at Twickenham Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 29, 2016. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission, please contact PA Images for further information: Tel: +44 (0) 115 8447447.

Fallen Giants were relegated from the Championship in spectacular fashion in 2019/20, losing every single game that they played, while the academy was forced to operate on extremely limited funding.

The Rugby Football Union had to subsidise its running last term and had been expected to continue to do so during 2020/21 in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.

The financial impact of the coronavirus crisis has however put paid to any chance of that deal going ahead.

The RFU provides up to £350,000 in funding to each of its academies, but has had to tighten its belt significantly having announced earlier this month that it is facing projected losses of £107 million in the short term.

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