THE 2020 Academy Championship has been cancelled due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

The RFL has written to all clubs who were due to be involved in the competition and informed them that the decision has reluctantly been taken.

Following the suspension of Rugby League activity in March, there had been hopes that the Academy could be rescheduled in some form when the season resumed – and the Operational Rules meetings of clubs in April deliberately kept alive that possibility.

However the considerable logistical challenges that remain regarding a return to training and then to playing matches, which resulted last week in the cancellation of the senior Betfred Championship and League 1 seasons, have led to a reluctant acceptance that a resumption of the competition would not be practical.

Planning has already begun for the resumption of Scholarships and Academies in 2021.