SAINTS' partnership with League 13 has been extended for the 2014 season, following a successful pilot in 2012 and 2013.

Saints have long been associated with bringing through some of the best young talent in the country and take great pride in ensuring they look after all of their players both on and off the field.

The continuing partnership with League 13 will only serve to strengthen the commitment to their Super League club's players.

A pilot scheme was introduced in 2012 and 2013 to provide the players with better welfare than had previously been the case.

The programme focused on the first team squad and included assessments of mental well-being, greater awareness of financial planning and the development of a plan for career transition.

Now, on the back of that success, it has been strengthened to include Academy and Scholarship players.

There will be a greater emphasis on introducing a Player Pathway, so that players have a clear idea of what they wish to achieve after rugby league and how they can accomplish it.

Sessions will also be delivered to the players on compliance issues such as the use of social media, drug use and gambling.

Mike Rush, St Helens Chief Executive, said: "We share League 13's commitment to improving player welfare and it has been that shared commitment that has made the decision to extend this initiative one of the easiest decisions we have made.

"The results of the pilot scheme have been tremendous and many of our players have already benefitted in a number of ways.

"I now want our young players to receive those same benefits, which will only help the club in the future."

Ernie Benbow, Chief Executive of League 13, added: "Player welfare is at the core of what League 13 wants to achieve in rugby league. We have made great strides in the game already, but there is a great deal more for us to do.

"We wanted to make this a local initiative with a local flavour and have also engaged fully with the St Helens Chamber of Commerce through CEO Kath Boullen. We have also involved past players in support roles.

"Considering where we were two years ago, to be in partnership with an elite club like St. Helens shows how far we have come.

"We now want to continue the good work we have already done and develop the idea of a Player Pathway across Super League in concert with the RFL, so that players can develop off the field, as well as on it, and achieve great things in their career in rugby league and after it."