Sydney Subbies 2025

[Pfitzy]

But again we see the bigger clubs continue to grow regardless of house pricing and rental properties in the area being way out of the league of players.

That's a good point. While the eastern suburbs are Rugby Heartland, I doubt whether everyone playing for Mosman lives closer to Rawson than any other ground.

It's their fuel money

 

[CrashBandicoot2]

Whatever happened to the Integrity Unit at Subbies? There have been rumours about how certain players bypass Shute Shield clubs where they were being paid to play locally for free, although nothing seems to ever happen. The clubs that are doing the right thing end up at the bottom.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

I can see now why your last account got banned.

 

[Pfitzy]

NSW Suburban Operations Manual Page 15 under 20. INTEGRITY COMMITTEE

NSW Suburban Rugby Union

rugby.net.au

There have been rumours about how certain players bypass Shute Shield clubs where they were being paid to play locally for free, although nothing seems to ever happen. The clubs that are doing the right thing end up at the bottom.

If you've got information - preferably with evidence - by all means submit it to Subbies. The process is in the Operations Manual.

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

What have you got for us Bern? A grade side in the finals? A top half finish in club champs? Some silverware!? Give us a bold prediction we can hold you to ROS.. it's what the people want

The club's position is to build on last year's Colts result through the grade sides and grow the player base. The latter has certainly happened and only time will tell with the former.
Ultimately the goal of the club is to move up a Division but the grade results obviously need to improve.
Realistically that's not going to happen this year as the jump from Division 3 to 2 is massive, not insurmountable, but a huge challenge not only in players numbers, which basically need to double, but in terms of coaches, managers, volunteers etc.
As for bold predictions, as PFE2 has suggested, at least one grade side will make it into the finals.

 

[Pfitzy]

That's a good plan.

Big jump in quality and numbers as you say for Div 2, but even the odd Halligan Cup game can help on the numbers side.

 

[The Wombat]

Even the mighty Whales are short on props this year.

 

[Prodigy]

I heard that they scooped a fair few players from Eastwood this year?

 

[Pfitzy]

It's the Australian way.

Our average age in the club for front rowers would be about 37. Without the alignment piece required to recruit and train them, we're all headed for uncontested scrums.

 

[rugbyman03]

Are the Alexandria Dukes fielding a team this year? I know last year they had a JV with the Oysters.

Are there any other clubs at risk of folding?

 

[MasterSergeant]

I agree that options for players are important.

I agree strongly on the importance of the Emus being back. Critical to have as many clubs to lift participation numbers.

I disagree about your point about location being a driver.

If that were true, Emus and Two Blues would be two of the strongest clubs in Shute Shield over the last few decades. The struggles of Penrith are well known. Two Blues import talent at a rate of knots. Why?

The fact is, talented kids from western sydney rugby are often poached by bigger clubs in the eastern suburbs and northern beaches. They have access to bigger programs with more money behind them. The dedicated parents will do everything they can to help make this happen, as will the player once they can transport themselves.

However, those rugby programs have low ceiling compared to NRL; they can't offer a 16-17yo kid the incentives that Penrith or Parra could gamble on a prospect who they know might burn out or suffer a career-ending injury. The conveyor belt is wide for NRL, and their hierarchies are well organised.

Rugby's alignment simply isn't there. Otherwise we'd have one Union across the Sydney basin with pathways established and resources directed appropriately. Every club would have defined relationships and resource alignment and we'd figure out the schools dichotomy.

Lastly: the growth you reference is not from places that are traditionally aligned with rugby, league, or AFL. I know, because I'm in one of those growth areas in the northwest. If I wanted to start a cricket club or basketball league, it would be a lot easier than any contact sport.

It can’t come down to just a poaching issue?! Perhaps what’s needed is a Western Sydney rugby ‘base’ to support development programs for the surrounding communities. Lift the standards of coaching and players to make all clubs stronger

 

[Pfitzy]

It isn't just poaching, but those kids who stay in rugby are usually going where the programs are.

Perhaps what’s needed is a Western Sydney rugby ‘base’ to support development programs for the surrounding communities. Lift the standards of coaching and players to make all clubs stronger

Absolutely, and that will start with the appointment of the Head of Rugby Western Sydney.

The effort then rests on how they want to approach it - wins would include aligning Junior and Senior Rugby clubs more closely for both mens and womens rugby.

It still leaves the question of schools, who march to the beat of their own drum and answer to nobody but themselves. How do we integrate schools rugby into a plan for retention and growth?

 

[Pfitzy]

Of course: aligning Juniors and Seniors still has question marks where the relationship is not healthy between the two...

 

[Propsruntheworld]

It's the Australian way.

Our average age in the club for front rowers would be about 37. Without the alignment piece required to recruit and train them, we're all headed for uncontested scrums.

Sounds like your props are at their peak!

 

[21mm]

Sounds like your props are at their peak!

I think you and I are going to get along nicely

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Subbies Colts and women’s 10s today. I can’t find a draw anywhere. Would be interesting to see stateside are represented

 

[Pfitzy]

I saw clubs posting their draws individually, which makes it hard to piece together

 

[oldmate11]

Congrats to Old Barker who got the chocolates today. They have some huge and skilful units running around in colts this year.

 

[Pfitzy]

I think Sydney Irish won the women's?

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

I thought Mosman won??
Looks like they won the Barbour Cup Xs and Barker won the Subbies Xs Cup…