Subbies 2023!

[Eastcoast]

Or as often. We've got an Old Boys day this week and a bunch of ex-players coming for Halligan Cup Third Grade. Now all the Second Grade guys think that will be an easier gig.

People are keen to play a few times a year. Not many are keen to commit for 14 weekends.
Its not just Rugby - Alot of sports are finding regular commitment extremely difficult.

The sport that adapts first will see the most benefit. In saying that, I dont have an answer.

Cricket moved from 2 day games to 1 day games on a weekly basis, however still struggle to fill teams on some weekends. Park cricket more than Shires. But I have heard of a few Shires and Grade teams struggling to fill the lower ends

 

[Pfitzy]

People are keen to play a few times a year. Not many are keen to commit for 14 weekends.

I went back through our database of players we registered - records from 2007 season onward.

Total 790 players who registered - dumped 60 who never played a competition game (maybe trialled or just never got around to taking the field)

Of the remaining 730 players:
141 have only 1 cap (19%)
220 have 2-5 caps (30%)
129 have 6-10 caps (18%)

i.e. fully two-thirds of our playing base have between 1 and 10 caps.

The average caps per player is 13 or roughly a season, but take into account guys who play multiple games a day and it isn't quite that.
Also seasons used to be 18 rounds....

The top 11 players ( our centurions) have a total of 1441 caps or 15% of all appearances for the club...

 

[HogansHeros]

Yeah sounds like a shit fight.

I'm talking the idea of a merger between clubs at a certain point. purely spit balling here so I'm not trying to start a yelling event but imagine if Old Ignatians and Kings Old Boys got together through the guise of a GPS old boys... May encourage other players to join like a bloke who may have gone to Shore but didn't want to rock up to Iggies.

I just think numbers are going to keep slowly going down as participation slows due to numerous factors but one of the biggest is people don't play as long as they use to.

Could work for Barker and Knox with a CAS old boys

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I was being very specific but they could all form an Old Boys club if they wanted. Essentially what GPS is in the Brisbane Premier Rugby.

 

[Pfitzy]

I continue to be flummoxed by these Old Boys clubs who don't seem to have any viable connection with their school.

I should not be amazed, I know...

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

But just like your numbers at your Club is suspect there are very few boys from say 3rds and lower play any footy post school at all these days. Then the best players probably go to the premier clubs play Colts then maybe a couple years of grade and are done by 24.

The old boy clubs then have a barrier through their name to the local area they play. All are welcome but you can imagine it would feel weird just showing up unlike a team named locally.

 

[Pfitzy]

But just like your numbers at your Club is suspect there are very few boys from say 3rds and lower play any footy post school at all these days. Then the best players probably go to the premier clubs play Colts then maybe a couple years of grade and are done by 24.

Yep. When you see schools trot out 7 or more XVs you know the top 15 kids are probably desinted for higher play like Premier or even Pro rugby.

I want the third grade prop who has just discovered beer. That's Subbies Colts right there.

And can I get NSW Rugby to email that kid my club's details? Fat chance...

 

[DaSchmooze]

Yep. When you see schools trot out 7 or more XVs you know the top 15 kids are probably desinted for higher play like Premier or even Pro rugby.

I want the third grade prop who has just discovered beer. That's Subbies Colts right there.

And can I get NSW Rugby to email that kid my club's details? Fat chance...

It's funny you say that. Ive often thought one of the strengths Pats has had was a good schoolboy program but not one that automatically fed into Shute Shield.

At school, nobody from West Harbour or Eastwood came to speak to us about playing once school finished - but on two seperate occaisions, we had a representative of Old Boys come and speak to us about playing on with them - and so we did.

 

[oldmate11]

Geez, seems Chatswood have clocked out for the year. Forfeiting both grades at home this week vs Irish

 

[BundyBear]

At Pats, this is one of the benchmark colts programs in the competition. I have also found due to the connection these players are more likely to stay attached to the club. Unless there is another consistent means of bringing players in such as Waverley and expats, it will be difficult. If two teams are to be moved down, it would be foolish to consider Pats as one of them.

 

[Eastcoast]

Div 1 - Round 11 Preview

Colleagues - Mosman. Money Vs Money. Light blue Vs 2 shades of Blue. Privileged vs Entitled. This will be a great game. If you find your self in the Eastern Suburbs on a sunny Saturday then get down to this game. Mosman out of the 4 at the moment will want to win this to keep in touch with the pack. Colleagues to bounce back from a disappointing loss at Hudson I think. It will be interesting if they ask the Ref in the pre game chat about kicking times just to be safe. Colleagues by 6

St Pats - Petersham. 8th vs 9th. In any other division, this would be a fizzer. But these two teams have the ability to beat 1st and 2nd on their day. Hudson wont be welcoming, although given St Pats track record of one on and one off, This will be an off day. The forwards dont seem as strong as they were last year for Pats. Petersham with a bit of X-factor. Petersham by 1

Drummoyne - Waverley. This is a genuine toss up as well. Waverley have been very strong in the past few weeks and gaining some momentum into the last few games of the year. Drummoyne are a different kettle of fish at home. With the week off last week, I think they come into this fresh and surprise Waverley. Close game but ill go an upset to be different. Reds by 3

Forest - HH. One of the great subbies grounds to play at. Nothing like the abuse you get from the seats at Melwood before the guy who has spent 80 minutes bagging you, buying you a beer after the game. Lindfield used to be bad down in that corner with the couch but they wouldnt have a beer with you. Forest have been good this year without getting the results they would have wanted. This will be a great game which will be close for 70 minutes I think. Hoping that we can pull away in the last 10 and win. HH by 10

 

[Pfitzy]

If two teams are to be moved down, it would be foolish to consider Pats as one of them.

I guess that will depend on their last 3 rounds versus the other likelies for CC points. They need to start winning Kentwell games to get some breathing space. A few wins against Petersham tomorrow would be useful - they could jump from 9th to 7th if Hunters beat Forest. Their problem is the other two clubs above them have a game in hand...

 

[TheBigArvo]

It always amazes me the outrage from the Div 1 clubs about the Promotion/Relegation system. All the other clubs in the other Divisions abide by it and when they finish last they drop but Div 1 likes to think there immune because there “systems” are better than everyone else. It’s simple, if you want to avoid relegation to don’t finish at the bottom of the table.

it’s widely acknowledged that we all want to go back to an 8 team Divisional Structure so we don’t have the stupidity we had earlier this year where 5 teams had the bye in Div 1. So someone has to drop from Div 1. Add to that the fact that the momentum Lindfield has right now is unavoidable and they deserve to be promoted.

If clubs are so sure of there system and how week the Div 2 comp is then it should be a very short stay.

At some point Subbies are going to have to step in and say based off results this year you are in Div 2 and clubs will have to take the hit. Or we risk having a Div 1 comp and then the rest. Not to mention the impact on clubs that choose to hold on for too long in a higher division almost disappearing completely…

 

[LRUsoldier]

It always amazes me the outrage from the Div 1 clubs about the Promotion/Relegation system. All the other clubs in the other Divisions abide by it and when they finish last they drop but Div 1 likes to think there immune because there “systems” are better than everyone else. It’s simple, if you want to avoid relegation to don’t finish at the bottom of the table.

it’s widely acknowledged that we all want to go back to an 8 team Divisional Structure so we don’t have the stupidity we had earlier this year where 5 teams had the bye in Div 1. So someone has to drop from Div 1. Add to that the fact that the momentum Lindfield has right now is unavoidable and they deserve to be promoted.

If clubs are so sure of there system and how week the Div 2 comp is then it should be a very short stay.

At some point Subbies are going to have to step in and say based off results this year you are in Div 2 and clubs will have to take the hit. Or we risk having a Div 1 comp and then the rest. Not to mention the impact on clubs that choose to hold on for too long in a higher division almost disappearin

Lindfield have to move up.

 

[LRUsoldier]

St Pats would be too strong for Division 2 based on the strength or their colts program. It has been a weak program this year, highlighted by one less club. I’d like to think there is room for us both.

 

[Denistone_Dennis]

Lindfield have to move up.

I hear the recruitment manager from 2016 would be interested if they do....

 

[Pfitzy]

Geez, seems Chatswood have clocked out for the year. Forfeiting both grades at home this week vs Irish

Other forfeits:
Waverley Colts
Alexandria Dukes
Wakehurst/Brothers

2nd and 3rd Div have the week off.

 

[Pfitzy]

DIV 4 ROUND 12:

Chatswood v Irish - done and dusted

Merrylands v Raptors - The Wolves have been turned over twice in a month by other top 4 sides Irish and Rockdale. They'll be stinging and looking for some points.

Renegades v Rockdale - we've got some injuries and illness to deal with (get your flu shots!) so not sure we're full-strength enough for this one.

Mac Uni v Saints - short trip for the Saints, and both clubs will be fighting for position in the bottom half of the table at this point. Pride on the line.

Redfield v Wakehurst - the visitors have already forfeited 2nd Grade to Redfield and will be looking for a strong showing, but Redfield have eyes on the finals.

 

[Eastcoast]

It always amazes me the outrage from the Div 1 clubs about the Promotion/Relegation system. All the other clubs in the other Divisions abide by it and when they finish last they drop but Div 1 likes to think there immune because there “systems” are better than everyone else. It’s simple, if you want to avoid relegation to don’t finish at the bottom of the table.

it’s widely acknowledged that we all want to go back to an 8 team Divisional Structure so we don’t have the stupidity we had earlier this year where 5 teams had the bye in Div 1. So someone has to drop from Div 1. Add to that the fact that the momentum Lindfield has right now is unavoidable and they deserve to be promoted.

If clubs are so sure of there system and how week the Div 2 comp is then it should be a very short stay.

At some point Subbies are going to have to step in and say based off results this year you are in Div 2 and clubs will have to take the hit. Or we risk having a Div 1 comp and then the rest. Not to mention the impact on clubs that choose to hold on for too long in a higher division almost disappearing completely…

Given the strength of all 9 Clubs, its been a great division to play in this year despite the extended weekends off with Byes and Wet Weathers back to back for some teams.
Lets not limit clubs who have the ability to play in Kentwell. Otherwise you risk clubs not being promoted when they are their strongest.

If there are 10 teams good enough for Div 1 - then let them come up.

Id imagine there arent too many Div 2 clubs that would enjoy a trip to Hudson to be swept.

 

[Pfitzy]

If there are 10 teams good enough for Div 1 - then let them come up.

Always be an uneven comp tho - not ever getting back to 18 rounds for a full home & away