Is Tony Gumley the 15s coach?
Need to be clear here: of the 'so-called XI' players, were they all actually selected and said no, or were some of them not offered a spot?
Any program (club, private provider, federation) is always subject to the value equation (ie price x perceived quality). Key word there is PERCEIVED. Every player and his/her parents/coaches/clubs/neighbour's auntie's dog will have a view on the qaulity of the program and the people delivering it.
As to club academies knocking Mainland's off, well there are a few around now - i think FC20, Coastal, Waimak, Cashmere all offer in-house stuff that is additional to the 1-2 night team contacts (and now Selwyn, Nomads too pending Burnley); and the value equation applies there too.