Sydney Subbies 2025

[Here To Do]

Personally I’d love to see a Subbies game before the Lions Tahs match. Maybe go with a Shute Game as well. We had Mountains do it a few years ago so maybe a Div 2 club like UNSW vs Petersham. Share it around the divisions each year so clubs have something to aspire to.

I was at the 3rd Lions Test in 2013 and believe there was a rep game beforehand which I think was Subbies v QLD Subbies but I'm not sure - was before I was involved unfortunately (and I was up in level 6 of Accor without being able to see the screens).

 

[footy_footy]

Any update on the situation with Forest colts? not listed for Rounds 1 or 2 but have a match v Petersham this weekend according to FuseSport.
They will need to draw a line in the sand somewhere.

 

[Here To Do]

Any update on the situation with Forest colts? not listed for Rounds 1 or 2 but have a match v Petersham this weekend according to FuseSport.
They will need to draw a line in the sand somewhere.

Hopefully the first 2 weeks are just a blip with the long weekends

 

[Heavyd]

Any update on the situation with Forest colts? not listed for Rounds 1 or 2 but have a match v Petersham this weekend according to FuseSport.
They will need to draw a line in the sand somewhere.

I see 4th Division Wakehurst have a Colts and they are 5 minutes up the road from Melwood. Maybe some of the Forest boys drifted up there when it looked like Colts weren't getting up at Forest this year?

I do think Forest are the tip of the spear in terms of the challenges Subbies and Shute Shield will face over the next few years. Junior rugby partcipation has collapsed over the last 5-7 years and eventually this will impact the feed of colts players coming into the rugby ecosystem.

 

[Footyhead67]

Heard a few went to Lindfield and Mosman

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

I do think Forest are the tip of the spear in terms of the challenges Subbies and Shute Shield will face over the next few years. Junior rugby partcipation has collapsed over the last 5-7 years and eventually this will impact the feed of colts players coming into the rugby ecosystem.

I think we are long past the Tip, you’ve only got to look at clubs like Epping and Hills and there decline. 10 years ago it was considered an embarrassment if you didn’t play all Shute grades but now it’s just an accepted fact that some clubs won’t be in all grades. Eastwood supposed to be one of the powerhouses not attempting a 4th grade this year should send alarm bells through the game.

There’s always going to be exceptions like LCOI this year but the longer we go it feels like we are moving the same group of players around rather than gaining new ones.

It’s what’s made the decision to base the division structure off colts even more crazier this year as more clubs struggle. Cause if Forrest actually don’t have a colts side where do they end up? According to Subbies this year it’s Div 5 and put your lower grades into Halligans…

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Rugby in Sydney is like a frog in hot water.

Something needs to change quickly or in 20 years, we will look around and be think "where did it all go?"

Pfitzy's alignment in our lifetimes!

 

[Pfitzy]

Pfitzy's alignment in our lifetimes!

Get on the train!

We have snacks

 

[Heavyd]

The Lions tour will be massive, massive for all levels of rugby. That followed by the RWC in 2027 is the chance to top up the funnel.

 

[Prodigy]

What a day in Subbies world.... Old Barker removed from the Clark and Farrant competitions and only playing Colts. Blacktown moved up to play 2 grades in Division 3.

 

[Pfitzy]

What a day in Subbies world.... Old Barker removed from the Clark and Farrant competitions and only playing Colts. Blacktown moved up to play 2 grades in Division 3.

We're throwing all kinds of precedent out the window here, but at least we're agile enough - as a Union - to move flexibly, and it gives some credence to a competition that is graded mid-season in future

On the plus side it gives Blacktown 2 games a week and means there is no bye in Div 6.

Are Barker just going to play Halligan Cup now for Grade?

 

[Youngseward]

Beecroft and Knox having wins removed feels a bit harsh.

 

[Pfitzy]

Beecroft and Knox having wins removed feels a bit harsh.

It does, however it ensures the competition is played on level terms. Barker lost by a fair bit to both if memory serves.

 

[Here To Do]

It does, however it ensures the competition is played on level terms. Barker lost by a fair bit to both if memory serves.

Then, essentially, they should have received 28-0 forfeits surely? If they'd lost, different story, but they've essentially played a team that doesn't exist in the comp.

 

[Pfitzy]

Then, essentially, they should have received 28-0 forfeits surely? If they'd lost, different story, but they've essentially played a team that doesn't exist in the comp.

And in that case do Blacktown get to take their points from Div 6 up to Div 3? It would have put them straight into 4th.

What about their 2nd Grade points from a Halligan game?

 

[Youngseward]

Personally I think fairest is Blacktown, Beecroft and Knox do keep their points (including Blacktown 2s results). As it stands they played games they won’t get anything for, and have to try to fit in an extra round of games (two for Blacktown) into 3 byes and a wet weather weekend while other teams get to rest players.

Though I guess if 4 teams are making finals, if this is the difference between making it and not you dont have much to complain about not making finals if you couldnt finish 4th out of 6 teams.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Lot of precedent being set here. Is this the cut off for moving clubs or can it happen anytime in the season? As Pfitzy says can you be regraded half way through the season? As I said earlier what happens if Forrest don’t have colts in a few weeks? Or is it only missing Grade teams as the issue?
What happens to Barkers grade side? Hard to encourage growth when your playing all over the place in Halligans

 

[Here To Do]

And in that case do Blacktown get to take their points from Div 6 up to Div 3? It would have put them straight into 4th.

What about their 2nd Grade points from a Halligan game?

No - Blacktown are moving into a new league and start on 0 since they have no wins, draws or BPs in that competition.

That's the difference - Crofties and Knox earned those points in the division, Blacktown haven't started to play in it yet.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

No - Blacktown are moving into a new league and start on 0 since they have no wins, draws or BPs in that competition.

That's the difference - Crofties and Knox earned those points in the division, Blacktown haven't started to play in it yet.

Looks like those games will now be replayed based off the draw. Mid week games are always fun especially the later you get in the season. Maybe they’ll choose double point games that have there own issues.

Looks like the first 2 rounds of Div 6 has been thrown out and the comp starts again this weekend with a new draw…

 

[Pfitzy]

Lot of precedent being set here. Is this the cut off for moving clubs or can it happen anytime in the season? As Pfitzy says can you be regraded half way through the season? As I said earlier what happens if Forrest don’t have colts in a few weeks? Or is it only missing Grade teams as the issue?
What happens to Barkers grade side? Hard to encourage growth when your playing all over the place in Halligans

If you'll remember Knox 2022 ran their Colts while Grade sat idle.

The Competition Rules actually set certain boundaries around Colts in several areas.

Will it happen again? Unlikely as it would have been a nightmare to figure out a way forward and doing it later in the year would need some kind of agreed parameters from the entire competition.

Regrading happens in other sports where competition levels are different year-to-year, moreso for those with set squad sizes.