I think it is a rather insidious threat. But on the other hand good luck to them. They have money and a commitment to expand their game. Whereas the boffins at the ARU seem to be distracted by other stuff.
I have seen somewhere that years 7 and 8 kids need to watch a firsts game in either Rugby, soccer and from this year AFL. Once upon a time it was just Rugby. Knox is fortunate to have lots of kids in each year so can probably absorb this better than others. However Knox also seems to have an "everyone must win or get a medal or ribbon" mentality in that they offer a lot of different sports. To placate the whims and fancies of the kids rather than direct them to specific sports. I am not sure whether this could lead to a dilution in some sports and I always thought more is often less. Mediocrity rather than excellence. But that is my opinion and could (and quite possibly ) be wrong.
Even with all these other sports one would hope that those wanting to play Rugby always would. But the fact there is a large range of sport on offer could lead to some kids missing out on the opportunity to play that sport. It is not a good thing in the long term.[/quote]
I believe rugby is its own worst enemy at times. We love to give it to ARU HQ and no doubt there has been poor decision making, lack of community engagement and a we know best attitude coming out of head office for years but I think it is also fair to acknowledge that the income union receives is not comparable to our two main winter competitors and the day approaching very fast that soccer may go past the lot. Imagine the criticism if more energy / funds were directed to private school rugby rather than grass roots whose lot anyone would concede is under greater pressure. I believe school associations have been very hard for the ARU to engage and prefer their independence. There is often comment about needing to copy or work towards the NZ model to move forward and uniting some way school and club competition. Safe to say wouldn't sit well with GPS in particular. Pulver has only recently stated that the focus has to come off "private"schools and money will be spent in the west. God knows it is required. There is not a junior rugby club, apart from Liverpool in a big area of Sydney southwest that stretches to Penrith in the west and south of the M4. The message has yet to get through to certain media forums who seem to always refer to a Super players school credentials rather a player had 10 years of junior footy with his local club. Kellaway now debuting for the Tahs a prime current example, that his TSC pedigree is continually highlighted but no mention that he come up through the junior club ranks. Leaves the impression one must attend "Ivy League" to gain access to the rugby pathway.
I have seen somewhere that years 7 and 8 kids need to watch a firsts game in either Rugby, soccer and from this year AFL. Once upon a time it was just Rugby. Knox is fortunate to have lots of kids in each year so can probably absorb this better than others. However Knox also seems to have an "everyone must win or get a medal or ribbon" mentality in that they offer a lot of different sports. To placate the whims and fancies of the kids rather than direct them to specific sports. I am not sure whether this could lead to a dilution in some sports and I always thought more is often less. Mediocrity rather than excellence. But that is my opinion and could (and quite possibly ) be wrong.
Even with all these other sports one would hope that those wanting to play Rugby always would. But the fact there is a large range of sport on offer could lead to some kids missing out on the opportunity to play that sport. It is not a good thing in the long term.[/quote]
I believe rugby is its own worst enemy at times. We love to give it to ARU HQ and no doubt there has been poor decision making, lack of community engagement and a we know best attitude coming out of head office for years but I think it is also fair to acknowledge that the income union receives is not comparable to our two main winter competitors and the day approaching very fast that soccer may go past the lot. Imagine the criticism if more energy / funds were directed to private school rugby rather than grass roots whose lot anyone would concede is under greater pressure. I believe school associations have been very hard for the ARU to engage and prefer their independence. There is often comment about needing to copy or work towards the NZ model to move forward and uniting some way school and club competition. Safe to say wouldn't sit well with GPS in particular. Pulver has only recently stated that the focus has to come off "private"schools and money will be spent in the west. God knows it is required. There is not a junior rugby club, apart from Liverpool in a big area of Sydney southwest that stretches to Penrith in the west and south of the M4. The message has yet to get through to certain media forums who seem to always refer to a Super players school credentials rather a player had 10 years of junior footy with his local club. Kellaway now debuting for the Tahs a prime current example, that his TSC pedigree is continually highlighted but no mention that he come up through the junior club ranks. Leaves the impression one must attend "Ivy League" to gain access to the rugby pathway.
