NSW JRU State Championships & Representative Teams 2014

[In the lineout]

As far as I can read into the rules, the Competition Manager "may" remove the team from the competition after three forfeits. We'll their up to six and counting now so it doesn't look like anything will happen there. I note there is also a mention of financial penalty as well.....really? What will that do. One of the dad's will write a cheque for the club and it goes away?

A strong message must be sent for this behaviour. Everyone has been aware of this since season commencing and now that other clubs have learnt how to work the system I am afraid there will be more over zealous coaches and managers out there in younger age groups who will now be plotting how to do the same in coming seasons for the sake of a few trophy hunters in their squads.

As as you rightly pointed out QH, there is going to be a majority of boys in those squads that will only play a handful of games in a season for the sake of their "stars". Is it no wonder player numbers are declining from 15's and up.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Apart from exceeding the maximum "allowable" number of forfeited games, the team/club have not technically breached any competition rules.

The 8 representative players from that team may still be eligible for the NSW Invitational Tournament, if they can somehow wangle a game from the next two rounds.

In terms of players missing out on games, Hills have missed out on two games due to forfeits (One from Chatswood, one from Wests Juniors), Western Raptors have missed out on two games due to forfeits from Chatswood. Northern Beaches Red, Myrtle Green Warriors, and Mosman Hunters Hill all missed out on one game due to forfeits from Chatswood. The joy has been spread (to an extent).

Dural (round 13) and Wahroonga Black (Round 14) may get their chance to join the "forfeited against" club soon. So far they have missed out.

With 7 games forfeited and 8 Bye games, that is a lot of footy not being played. (28% of the possible 52 games in the 12 rounds so far.)

One hopes that the forfeits have been "announced" in advance, and teams haven't had to travel large distances to an oval to find out that their opposition will be forfeiting the game on the day.

 

[In the lineout]

One hopes that the forfeits have been "announced" in advance, and teams haven't had to travel large distances to an oval to find out that their opposition will be forfeiting the game on the day.

No, there's the usual call around Tuesday to say we might not be able to get players together due to schooling commitments but I'll let you know later in the week. On Friday some time comes the inevitable call to say no we won't be playing. Like I said, playing the system, using time, "we might play, doing our best, see what we can do"........

 

[Hugh Jarse]

That stuffs the referee appointments around as well, or perhaps the association Appointments Officer has twigged to the likely outcome and doesn't appoint to those games.

 

[Quick Hands]

That stuffs the referee appointments around as well, or perhaps the association Appointments Officer has twigged to the likely outcome and doesn't appoint to those games.

It stuffs everyone around, but it would seem that the management of the team concerned couldn't really care less. Their one and only concern seems to be a handful of rep players - who presumably are some of their own offspring.

So sad.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

More than a "handful" of rep players.

In addition to the four in SJRU Under 16's, there are four in the Presidents XV and two in the NSW Schools U16's.

A total of 10 players from the Chatswood Stags player roster of 27 have made rep teams higher than District level. That isn't too bad considering that only 13 Chatswood Stags Players made the Gordon District Reps for U16 2014 Junior State Championships.

Comparing no of forfeits vs players registered in Buddha in the U16A competition reveals the following:

Some forfeits:
Chatswood - 6 forfeits - 27 players
Wests Juniors - 1 Forfeit - 28 Players

0 Forfeits:
Wahroonga - 26 players
Dural - 27 Players
Hills - 28 players
Western Raptors - 29 players
Randwick Warriors - 33 players
Mosman Hunters Hill - 38 players
Northern Beaches - 41 players

It seems that there is not a great correlation between numbers of registered players and the ability to find 15 players for a Sunday game of footy.

 

[Rugby Addict]

There are NO non rep players at Chatswood and when we realised we could not field a team on a weekly basis everyone was asked if they would like to join another team - no takers. 14 games in 22 days will do that.

5 non rep players left Chatswood to join Lindfield this year because A grade was too hard for them. If they had stayed we would have fielded a team each week but the first we heard of it was when Lindfield rang asking for a release.

Chatswood was left with 14 players (all rep players) to start the comp and then 2 got told they can't play by their school First XV coaches. To get a team each week we were reliant on friends of players agreeing to play on an ad hoc basis.

These kids have pretty much all played junior rugby since they were 8 and they wanted the opportunity to make rep teams this year. We tried to join up with other teams (Lane Cove and Wahroonga) but they wanted to go alone so it was a massive struggle from Day 1 and the best we could ever achieve was to try and qualify for rep teams. Playing a full year with 14 players was never going to work so the plan had to change.

We apologise to the teams that have been left without a game but we simply could not field a team.

We have tried to be up front with the opposition each week as to where we are at - the same with the referees and they have all had plenty of notice every week.

We realise most of the angst comes from people associated with Eastwood probably caused by Chatswood winning 3 A grade comps and Gordon winning 5 State champs - good luck in therapy.

 

[Rugby Addict]

More than a "handful" of rep players.

In addition to the four in SJRU Under 16's, there are four in the Presidents XV and two in the NSW Schools U16's.

A total of 10 players from the Chatswood Stags player roster of 27 have made rep teams higher than District level. That isn't too bad considering that only 13 Chatswood Stags Players made the Gordon District Reps for U16 2014 Junior State Championships.

Comparing no of forfeits vs players registered in Buddha in the U16A competition reveals the following:

Some forfeits:
Chatswood - 6 forfeits - 27 players
Wests Juniors - 1 Forfeit - 28 Players

0 Forfeits:
Wahroonga - 26 players
Dural - 27 Players
Hills - 28 players
Western Raptors - 29 players
Randwick Warriors - 33 players
Mosman Hunters Hill - 38 players
Northern Beaches - 41 players

It seems that there is not a great correlation between numbers of registered players and the ability to find 15 players for a Sunday game of footy.

Chatswood have 14 regulars, 2 of whom can't now play - the other 12 have helped out once or twice at most to get a team on the field.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Not often anyone has the balls to actually disclose their allegiance and apologise.

 

[S'UP]

There are NO non rep players at Chatswood and when we realised we could not field a team on a weekly basis everyone was asked if they would like to join another team - no takers. 14 games in 22 days will do that.

5 non rep players left Chatswood to join Lindfield this year because A grade was too hard for them. If they had stayed we would have fielded a team each week but the first we heard of it was when Lindfield rang asking for a release.

Chatswood was left with 14 players (all rep players) to start the comp and then 2 got told they can't play by their school First XV coaches. To get a team each week we were reliant on friends of players agreeing to play on an ad hoc basis.

These kids have pretty much all played junior rugby since they were 8 and they wanted the opportunity to make rep teams this year. We tried to join up with other teams (Lane Cove and Wahroonga) but they wanted to go alone so it was a massive struggle from Day 1 and the best we could ever achieve was to try and qualify for rep teams. Playing a full year with 14 players was never going to work so the plan had to change.

We apologise to the teams that have been left without a game but we simply could not field a team.

We have tried to be up front with the opposition each week as to where we are at - the same with the referees and they have all had plenty of notice every week.

We realise most of the angst comes from people associated with Eastwood probably caused by Chatswood winning 3 A grade comps and Gordon winning 5 State champs - good luck in therapy.

I'm not going to get drawn into your comment about Eastwood as I don't understand where is comes from as I'm not associated with that age group at a rep level, but if you look back at the "Continued decline of sydney Junior rugby" tread you'll see if you turned up with 12 boys every week, the other team has to give you players. That has just fixed your problem, then everyone gets a game and the competition is fair. I guess your team or teams like yours are why SJRU put that rule in place, so boys can play rugby. Maybe you can make the last 2 rounds.

 

[Rugby Addict]

That is 12 possibilities - doesn't mean there are 12 available. For example when 4 are playing in Tamworth for Sydney there are 8 possibilities.

 

[S'UP]

That is 12 possibilities - doesn't mean there are 12 available. For example when 4 are playing in Tamworth for Sydney there are 8 possibilities.

i wasn't suggesting it solved all the issues but it could have helped, for an A grade competition to be affected by that many forfeits is sad. I do sympathise with you, we had the same issue at Beecroft last year with our 16A's luckily we were able to pull kids from all over the place to help out, there was many a game around reps time when we struggled with numbers and lost a number of game becuase of that but thats life.

 

[In the lineout]

That is 12 possibilities - doesn't mean there are 12 available. For example when 4 are playing in Tamworth for Sydney there are 8 possibilities.

But you seem to always come up with the players to ensure the qualification game is played so the rep boys can continue on their merry way...

 

[Rugby Addict]

But you seem to always come up with the players to ensure the qualification game is played so the rep boys can continue on their merry way.

The minimum aim is to play enough games so that all our rep players get to wear the jersey they earned - we spend enormous amounts of time to find players so our rep players qualify by the rules and don't miss out.

Admittedly it is not an ideal way for our opponents but we don't have an alternative - no-one would join up with us.

 

[Magilla]

does anyone know who the NSW U15 and U17 coaches are this year?

 

[sideline server]

Magilla,
The Sydney Juniors website contains the following info re NSW 17's, but not sure of its currency:

NSWJRU Representative Team
The NSW team will attend an elite training weekend with the NSW Waratahs and coaching
staff. Plus there will be a game against the U18 Sydney team on the October long weekend.

NSWJRU Coaching Staff
Head Coach – Alan Wright
Asst Coaches – Andrew Bloxsom & Huw Blood
S&C Coach – Tim Dalecki
Manager -Brad Bishop & Michael Radziowsky

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Bit of a shame that there is only one game for the State U17's to play.

Good to see the tie in with the Tahs, though.

I still would feel a little more comfortable if there was more of a link between JGC Under 17 programme and the State U17 Squad.

It just seems as if there are two orphaned twins out there that have been fostered out to two different families. The JGC U17's and the JRU Under 17's. Hopefully next year, there may be more of a connection.

 

[Magilla]

the Sydney juniors site indicates that they will also play a Brisbane U17's team. It's a pity that it is the weekend before the HSC starts!

 

[Slugga]

We have tried to be up front with the opposition...

Pull the other one.

We realise most of the angst comes from people associated with Eastwood probably caused by Chatswood winning 3 A grade comps and Gordon winning 5 State champs - good luck in therapy.

On that quote the case for what deceitful, arrogant, self obsessed, try-hards we have in this Chatswood mob rests.

You and everyone else knew exactly what they were up to (in May I alluded to a conversation with a mother of one of your players who was quite open about it)and the record speaks for itself so save us the BS, the hand wringing apologies, the excuses and the smears because no one outside your clique believe a word of it.

This team has treated the comp and its players with contempt and true to form they were at it again today in the game against Dural to the extent that they may be making a formal complaint.


Never have I encountered a more distasteful group then Chatswood u16’s, a blight on Rugby and a bloody disgrace the lot of you.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The minimum aim is to play enough games so that all our rep players get to wear the jersey they earned - we spend enormous amounts of time to find players so our rep players qualify by the rules and don't miss out.

Admittedly it is not an ideal way for our opponents but we don't have an alternative - no-one would join up with us.

I am interested in the criteria used to determine that the boys have earned a rep jumper. Is this the District rep jumper or the Sydney JRU rep jumper (or both) that they have earned.

I get it that these lads may have all played together since the Under 8's but the assumption that they have an entitlement to rep jumpers in a competition that they are not actively participating in seems a little arrogant. Kids in other districts have to travel when their "traditional" village club can no longer find the numbers to field a viable team, or even play in a lower division just to get a regular game.

Do you also believe that the Chatswood boys have earned a go at Under 17's rep jumpers as well based on the same criteria, or is the U17 rep jumper not worth it somehow?

Is it just me that thinks that it should be about participation and building/maintaining the pyramid with Representative selection being the icing on the cake, not the sole raison d'etre?

Far too many people seem obsessed with the trinkets associated with Premiership victories, State titles and Rep Jumpers.

Maybe it is attitudes like this that are undermining the Gordon Colts programme.