Getting NRL players is great and all for the wallabies, but surely that money could be better spent on pathways for club union and even improving the public school systems union pathways?
I used to think the same but now I'm not so sure.
I'm going anecdotally here, but now that both the school and club pathways end up at the same point, it would seem the knock on effect of this is that the CHS and CCC teams will be gutted of whatever ability they had left in their systems. From memory both CCC and CHS got trounced last year and at first glance that seems sad. But when you think of it, it actually is an indicator that the club based pathways are improving and offering value for money.
Think of it this way -
You're a kid who attends Local Govvie or Catholic HS. Your school couldn't care less about Rugby (that's a snotty nosed private school game isn't it son??) but yet in order to progress through a pathway, you have to attend a trial where you will represent your school, region and school association - all of whom contribute less than zero to your Rugby playing future.
But now...
You can stay in your club based pathway. Your club, who's coached you from an early age and has a vested interest in you getting better at the game. Who's provided opportunities to play. Who's members have taken you to various state champs and gala days. Who actually cares about Rugby. You now get to represent them without penalty and lack of opportunity that GPS,CAS and ISA kids get.
I think it's been the best decision that's been made regarding junior pathways for a very long time.
Again - from memory, Sydney Juniors and Country Juniors were quite strong last year - at the expense of the CCC and CHS teams and for my mind can only be a good thing.
JackJill, I don think there is enough money in the country that you could throw at coaching and development in the CHS and CCC systems. They're not interested in it and you'd be throwing good money after bad at it.
Anyway - my 2 cents there