2014 Last Year for NSW Country Schools Rugby Union Championships

[rugboy]

Apologies if this has been posted although disappointing for rugby all round especially on the back of losing the 16s.

2014 The Last Year for NSW Country Schools Rugby Union Championships

It is with great regret that we announce 2014 to be the last year of the annual Country Schools Championships to select sides to attend the NSW Selection Trials.

This decision, not taken lightly, is a result of the changing landscape of schoolboy rugby union in NSW. NSW Country Schools was set up in 1977 specifically to address the lack of opportunity for regionally based players to gain access to NSW Schools representative teams. These opportunities have improved through other pathways in the ensuing years with the Independent Schools Association (ISA), Combined High Schools (CHS), Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) and more recently the Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) all offering pathways for boys in regional schools.

Despite the ongoing success of the Country Schools Championships as both a pathway to higher representative honours and a representative experience in itself for regional players, it has become unviable to continue as a pathway to NSW Schools with the regional development of these other pathways.

Highlights from the 38 year history of Country Schools include:
• 37 Championships at venues from Bathurst to Narrabeen, Tamworth and Armidale
• 14 players who have gone on to represent Australian Schools
• 9 players who have gone on to represent the Wallabies
• Hosting of 14 international matches against touring national schoolboy sides from England, Fiji, Ireland, Tonga, Samoa and Japan in venues including Nowra, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Singleton, Newcastle, Maitland, Campbelltown, Tamworth, Tweed Heads, Lismore and Armidale
• 11 international development tours to South Africa, New Zealand, Western Samoa, Canada, Fiji, USA and Singapore

The voluntary contribution of those who have made Country Schools an institution in regional NSW will be acknowledged at the final Championships to be held at The Armidale School on 7-8th June.


Matt de Dassel
President
On behalf of the Executive
NSW Country Schools Rugby Union
13/3/14

 

[The Butts]

That is a kick in the pants Matt as I know my young bloke loved his experience last year playing for NSW Country Schools against Fiji and Tonga.

The massive work put in by coaches and managers (big shout out to Jim Pennington) has been the making of many a young schoolboy rugby player.

This is an absolute downer for anyone who loves their country rugby.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

ARU seems to be beginning to disengage itself from the areas beyond the metropolitan boundaries. Too Hard.

Will they cut back on the number of JGC regional centres in U15 and U17 next year as well.

Does Sydney's west begin at Summer Hill - (CAS - Trinity) with the outer west being defined by North Parramatta (AAGPS - Kings)?

One wonders where they define the Penrith Rowing Centre as being located? The AAGPS Old Boys only have to think about going to that West Australian location once a year.

 

[couldabeen]

Having had a son go through country schools I am so sad about this news. Thanks to Jim Pennington and the rest of the team for the heap of work they did and the high standards they held.
I don't understand the reasons - The Country team beat CHS 2nds last year, were competitive against ISA 2nds (goal kicks would have won it for them) and if they had played AICES as Planned, they would have had a big win. That means to my small mind that the argument that the country team had other viable means of playing rep rugby is unsound. Anyhow, very sad.

 

[Boof]

This is so very disappointing especially for those boys who have not yet had the chance of the honour of a Country Schools jumper. While I understand the tradition of the June long weekend, but clashing with the State champs excludes a large number of players from attending the trials. Central West,Central Coast and Hunter all generally attend the SC in Sydney as part of their programs, this puts a large hole in the talent pool left to trial for CS's particularly in the 16 s.
Very sad to see it gone, hope they put on a big show this year .

 

[rugby hunter]

The last ever Country Schools Development Tour leaves on the 7th April 2015, touring Singapore and Hong Kong. Jim Pennington will take a strong team of young men on this last tour. The team will complete their preparations with a training camp at TAS on the 21st/22nd March. The team was selected at the 2014 Country Schools Championships at TAS and should have a great tour. Good luck boys.

 

[rugby hunter]

Country Schools Development Tour played a Singapore Invitational Team at Yio Chu Kang Stadium last night and had a solid win 24 - 0 over a committed Singapore team. It was the first game the boys have played together and they put in a strong defensive effort to hold the home team to nil. The attack improved as the game went on with plenty of exciting rugby being played. The team is off to Hong Kong to play the local Barbarians sides. The last team ever doing the Country Schools Jumper proud.

 

[Quick Hands]

The contents of this thread are quite depressing for the future.

I noted in the original post that AICES was cited as an alternate representative pathway; HJ can correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't they also pulled out of the NSW Schools carnival?

 

[rugby hunter]

NSW CSRU Development Tour played Hong Kong U/20s Barbarians on Saturday, the boys were outclassed by a big and fast opposition. Final score HKB 56 CS 5. Next game is against U/19s Barbarians on Tuesday.
Good Luck boys!

 

[Done that]

The contents of this thread are quite depressing for the future.

I noted in the original post that AICES was cited as an alternate representative pathway; HJ can correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't they also pulled out of the NSW Schools carnival?

Correct.

 

[couldabeen]

Correct.

 

[rugby hunter]

CSRU Singapore and Hong Kong 2015.
After the tough game against the u/20s, who are the Asian Champions and beat Scots College in the previous game.
Game 3 v Hong Kong u/18s.
It was a stop and start game with lopsided penalty count, with no ball and poor field position the boys struggled to get into the game. They went down 27 - 5 in a uninspiring game.
Game 4 v Hong Kong u/18s Friday 17/4/15.
The last game ever for NSW Country Schools.
The team has a chance to show their best rugby on the tour and sign off the history of Country Schools pride and commitment.

 

[rugby hunter]

The CSRU Tour was a fitting farewell for a great pathway in schoolboy rugby. The final game on tour against the Hong Kong u/18 was a good game with both teams scoring plenty of tries through positive play and support. H K lead early with the country boys finishing strongly with great team play,Hong Kong victorious 38 - 28 in an entertaining game.
The Country Schools Rugby Union has proved to be a beneficial pathway for country schoolboys to train, play and travel with a high quality standards and professionalism set by the excellent coaches, managers and the Executive of CSRU. The players have great role models to look up to and have benefited from the experience.
Many thanks to Matt De Dassel , Jim Pennington and staff for all their effort and time put into CSRU.

IT IS NOT OVER YET!
CSRU have one last game against the Samoan Schoolboys Touring Team in September at T.A.S. Home game farewell.

 

[James007]

VERY SAD

 

[Gilly]

The CSRU Tour was a fitting farewell for a great pathway in schoolboy rugby. The final game on tour against the Hong Kong u/18 was a good game with both teams scoring plenty of tries through positive play and support. H K lead early with the country boys finishing strongly with great team play,Hong Kong victorious 38 - 28 in an entertaining game.
The Country Schools Rugby Union has proved to be a beneficial pathway for country schoolboys to train, play and travel with a high quality standards and professionalism set by the excellent coaches, managers and the Executive of CSRU. The players have great role models to look up to and have benefited from the experience.
Many thanks to Matt De Dassel , Jim Pennington and staff for all their effort and time put into CSRU.

IT IS NOT OVER YET!
CSRU have one last game against the Samoan Schoolboys Touring Team in September at T.A.S. Home game farewell.

^^^^^^^^^^^ Is this game still on as the farewell? If so when and where will the boys be playing?

 

[Boof]

Players were advised this week, the game is against the Samoan National Schools side and will be played TAS in Armidale on the 19th September as a warm up match to the Aus Schools test match. CSRU have also made arrangements to have some Brumbies reps and Eastern Suburbs Coaches to run their eye over the boys, who will also be making a presentation that evening for boys looking to play in Sydney. The Country organisation never fails to suprise, what a great gift to these players.

 

[Gilly]

Players were advised this week, the game is against the Samoan National Schools side and will be played TAS in Armidale on the 19th September as a warm up match to the Aus Schools test match. CSRU have also made arrangements to have some Brumbies reps and Eastern Suburbs Coaches to run their eye over the boys, who will also be making a presentation that evening for boys looking to play in Sydney. The Country organisation never fails to suprise, what a great gift to these players.

Great news Boof and well done to the Country Schools. Will it be the same team that toured earlier in the year , if so is there a list somewhere of the team.

Good luck to the boys, a great thrill.

 

[Boof]

Thanks Gilly, yes it is the same team that has been invited, CSRU Development XV ( team that toured Singapore and Hong Kong earlier this year) not the 1st XV that played in last years school champs, but who will end up playing is not known yet as some boys may not be available, a few boys may get a call up.

 

[Gilly]

Thanks Gilly, yes it is the same team that has been invited, CSRU Development XV ( team that toured Singapore and Hong Kong earlier this year) not the 1st XV that played in last years school champs, but who will end up playing is not known yet as some boys may not be available, a few boys may get a call up.

Thanks Boof,

Any further update on the side to play at Armidale?? Was trying to find the list for the CSRU development side, would be great to see it if you have one available.

 

[Boof]

Here you go Gilly, this was the team from the recent Singapore and Hong Kong tour " NSWCSRU Development team " I don't have a team list for the Armidale game but this game was announced while in Hong Kong at a team dinner so assuming its the same side.

Max ALCORN, TAS
Jackson ANSHAW, St Joseph's Aberdeen
Jacob BARNES, Nowra Anglican College
Jock BARRY, Hunter Valley Grammar School
Jack BENNETT, TAS
Ben CASKEY, TAS
Will CLARIDGE, TAS
Joel COOPER, Bellingen High School
Nick FINNEY, TAS
Braden GRAHAM, O'Connor Catholic College, Armidale
Jayden HARRADINE, TAS
Samuel HARRIS, St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton
Tom HAWTHORNE, O'Connor Catholic College, Armidale
Jayson HOVI, St Joseph's Aberdeen
Jock JACKSON, TAS
Daniel MALLOY, St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton
Kye MARSHALL, St Josephs Regional College, Port Macquarie
Charlie McGOWAN, TAS
Thomas NEWMAN, St Francis Xavier College, Hamilton
Luke PORTER, Scone Grammar School - Did not tour
Amos POTTER, John Paul College, Coffs Harbour
Brendan POWER, TAS
David PUCHERT, MacKillop Senior College
Angus ROXBOROUGH-BATT, TAS
Hayden SHEPHERD, TAS Did not tour
Aaron SHRUBB, Macksville High School
Alex WALL, Carinya Christian School