2012 Australian Schools & National Championships

I think that one of the biggest problems that Oz faces at the school boy level is distance. I have banged on for a long time that it sucks that you have to be in the right school or right town or right club competition to get noticed and picked up into the rugby system. There are a lot of talented kids out there that would love to play rugby, but end up in League, AFL or Soccer because the oportunities (perceived or otherwise) are not there. How this is corrected, I do not know, other then a lot or work by coaches, development officers and talent spotters. I think that the solution is bigger then the selection policy of the School Boy's comp.

No reason to doubt you but many kids playing don't know of JGS or NGS, how to get involved or think that its the domain of the elite private schools. The ARU didn't exactly go out of their way to advertise its new existence with the latest changes. I'm aware of 5 age level Sydney/NSW rep players from 2011 who didn't know you had to make application and were therefore overlooked for a place. It's a positive move that kids can now nominate themselves through their club or school but perception is reality and the perception amongst many junior rugby followers is that the previous version was run like a secret society for priveledged people only. Lets hope this is the beginning of a new era where access to these levels of tuition are accessible to a far wider cohort of junior players. At the age of 16 most players are only considered elite because someone is taking a punt on potential. A players true worth isn't realised until they reach physical maturity, so why the rush to guess on a players worth instead of letting them enjoy schoolboy rugby for what it is and make better informed choices on who gets the elite training when all the quesions have been answered. It sometimes appears Australian sport has a fascination with pushing young players beyond what they are ready for.

As to your belief that the ARU does in fact believe in growing the game, I would cite the parlous state of the once premier Shute Shield and Sydney junior saturday rugby as fine examples of the opposite. I would also suggest that a look at the balance sheet of ARU funding would be very top heavy in favour of the Wallabies program as opposed to what is spent at the other end while JON's business acumen outweighs his passion for the game.

The SJRU sent out a mass email around 7th October 2011 to all boys and parents on their database advising them of the program and the date applications closed. The email also provided a link to the info about the program and the application on the ARU website. Consequently the majority of boys in the program are club rugby players. The SRU did the same thing in 2010 and open trials were held for any interested boys before players were selected for the then ARU TIP program.

I hear what your saying about Shute Shield Rugby but my comments about the ARU growing the game were in direct response to queries raised about their investment in junior development programs.

at what age CTPE and how do you get on their database?

The current programs cater for U14 to U18 year olds. If a player is registered with a club in the SJRU then the SJRU should have the contact email address that is given by the player to their club when they register.

and when do they assess the u14s for inclusion in the program - at the state titles? weekly club rounds? something/where else?
also do they have to be nominated - I thought I read that somehwere

No doubt during the year at the events you mentioned. As noted by No9 at #23 it's a self nominating process.

Clint Gutherson has signed with Manly for the next 4 years. He was the fullback in NSW 1's last year. He also played in the Commonweath 7s. What also made me laugh was reading that after he had signed he was offered a deal by the ARU.

Lee, check out yesterdays daily. Article in it.

Good to see the debate is still alive and kicking in 2012!

Regards,
Newbie

And that is why Australian rugby will continue to struggle to win a World Cup!

From nsw the most likely based on their form last year:

J Stewart 12/13
J Dempsey 6/8
H Rorke 5
D Horwitz 10
Mcintyre 10
A Kellaway 15/11
C Gutherson 15

Not too sure on the front row however aswell as 9's.

Are they all returning for NSW? That's quite a good group of players, I rate their chances against QLD this year as there aren't too many players returning up north. Did McIntyre end up being the first choice 10 at the end of Aus schools last year?

Gutherson, no chance Manly allow him to play rugby due to risk of injury. Also Tyrone Smith and one of the Setu's are just 2 of many that were overlooked due to their alignment with Rugby League.

Very true Lily! These players are just a few recent examples of where rugby has missed out!

There is a kid called Kem Seru who is now playing Toyota Cup for the Dragons. Several years ago he played in the NSW regional championship and was essentially the player of the tournament and yet he was not selected in the Sydney Junior team because of his ties to league. Rugby was however his passion.

His local club Canterbury (and others) were absolutely livid with this outcome and the lad was consequently included in the team several days later. Unfortunately the Dragons beat Sydney to the punch by a day and a term of his contract was that he was not permitted to play any other sport except that sactioned by the Dragons.

Another couple of talented dual code players are now at the same cross-road! They are Fabian Natoli, Taane Milne, and Tepia Moeroa.

Regards,
Newbie

What you say is true but in a professional sport environment choices need to be made. I think that by 17yrs of age most kids have developed a preference to which sport they prefer (not just football codes) and I personally find it frustrating to see some kids going all the way to national schools selection and then take the league option. This has far reaching effects further down the years as it denies those who missed out being exposed to better levels of rugby experiences and slows development. It may be harsh but as a union follower I care more for those who stay than those who leave.

Whether they follow their hearts or the money my best wishes for their endeavours but professional sport is a cruel master and they should be prepared. Rugby in general loses the battle because they don't pay what the leagues clubs will at this early stage of their careers.

I've heard that Andrew Kellaway is in the Australian U18 sevens team.anyone aware who else is in the team?

Apparently the team will be competing in the Youth Olympic Games in early 2013

From the NSW Schools website:


NSW REPRESENTATIVE TEAM OFFICIALS 2012

Saturday, 24 March 2012

At the NSWSRU Meeting conducted on the 23rd of March at WARATAH'S HQ the following people were elected to positions with the NSWSRU Representative Teams for 2012.

The following positions & applicants were appointed in this order:

Coach NSWSRU 1 JOHN PAPAHATZIS
Coach NSWSRU 2 PETER REEVES
Coach NSWSRU U16 BRAD GILL

Manager NSWSRU 1 JOHN GUY
Manager NSWSRU 2 JOHN ROWNES
Manager NSWSRU U16 SAXON BOWLES

Assistant Coach NSWSRU 1 DEAN OXLEY
Assistant Coach NSWSRU 2 JARROD HODGES
Assistant Coach NSWSRU U16 LUKE BOWER

Selectors
GRAEME DEDRICK
CHUCK ARDRON
GEOFF MELVILLE
PAUL GEDDES
JIM POTTS
DEAN HARGREAVES

Chair of Selectors - GEOFF MELVILLE

Physiotherapist NSWSRU 1 NARELLE VEVERKA
Physiotherapist NSWSRU 2 TOM LOMBARDO
Physiotherapist NSWSRU U16 DAMIEN RAPER