One thing we need to discuss is the fragmentation across the 4 groups that make up the game
Agreed. Though you forgot schools in that discussion on how the game isn't aligned; I won't bore everyone again with how exactly they are affecting things.
In terms of the rest of it - speaking from a Sydney pov:
No such thing. I know what you mean, but let's label that "Premier Rugby" and move on.
The use of the term "grassroots" to represent SRU is part of the mystical Fantasy Land in which
some Sydney Premier Rugby Clubs exist.
They think they should be the professional arm of the game, but still want to run 7 teams doing it, with rumours of an 8th, despite half their clubs struggling to do that.
They want to scream that they're "grassroots", then take actions like warehousing Colts and insulting Subbies clubs, actively preventing players from taking the field.
They want handouts, while charging some of these kids $500 for a pair of shorts and socks, and 10 minutes every other week for a dream of playing Grade that will never happen.
This particular cadre of clubs are doing more to harm their own competition, and others around it, than almost everyone else combined.
How a few amateurs hold the SRU Board to ransom reminds me of a Turkish proverb:
"The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them."
Then we have the subbies/grassroots side that holds even more disdain for the premier clubs and what they are all about than the professional side. All unnecessary, all superstitious, all overly entitled and all only concerned about their own patch.
I would say that description of certain clubs - and rugby people in general - is apt. There is a lot of gatekeeping; a lot of suspicion, and a lot of circling the wagons. Subbies isn't immune from this mentality, but the organisation have been
very accomodating in trying to build relationships with Premier Rugby in Sydney for the greater good.
When some clubs couldn't muster Colts, Premier Colts 4 sides were introduced to stabilise the competition. The reward?
Nothing. Just more blather from Premier Rugby clubs about Subbies being "mickey mouse rugby" and how it isn't worthy anyone's time. Once they've got a player's money, they don't care.
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Your key point about separation is the main thing - none of these things are aligned, from Juniors through Schools to Seniors. Everyone is left to build their own relationships and then guard them fiercely to prevent anyone else stealing their hard work. And when individuals create relationships, they invariably fail as people move on.
It could be a fairly easy fix. Cheap, too.
We have contact data for every registered player in Australia. Why not use it to help clubs and schools connect? Why let player numbers simply disappear into a black hole?
The advice I've been given to connect my club to the local rugby schools: is to keep hassling overworked teachers who probably don't have time to run a rugby program anyway. They get about the same level of help from NSWRU as we do in general terms.
The top end of the sport needs to look at rugby league and the money they invest in their junior systems, and how they align all elements. It'll pay dividends in the long term that a few bandaids at pro level can't heal.