NW Schools Rugby Championship

[Pfitzy]

Not sure whether this fits under an existing thread, so took an executive decision to create one

A group of schools out this way are engaging in a bit of competition to give the lads something outside the normal channels. The competition is for "Youth" (U14) and "Intermediate" (U16) with the following involved:

Arndell Anglican College
Penrith Anglican College (U16 only)
Redfield/Pacific Hills
Rouse Hill Anglican College
William Clarke College

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A couple of the schools are nearby to Renegades Rugby, so we've offered to help out where we can with hosting, providing match officials, etc. (hopefully builds some bridges for recruitment and continuity in the game).

The trophies are absolutely great, BTW:

NWSRC on Instagram: "Welcome to the NWSRC Trophy Collection! Swipe right for the NWSRC Honour Board. We have been extremely fortunate to work with Matt Lee at Aussie Manufacture Workshop to create these hand crafted masterpieces. Matt has been an es

55 likes, 0 comments - nwsrchampionship on September 11, 2024: "Welcome to the NWSRC Trophy Collection! Swipe right for the NWSRC Honour Board. We have been extremely fortunate to work with Matt Lee at Aussie Manufacture Workshop to create these hand crafted masterpieces. Matt has been an...

www.instagram.com

 

[DaSchmooze]

Surprised to see a combined team from Redfield. I would have thought they'd have a standalone squad

 

[DaSchmooze]

They're also not showing up as an ISA School anymore. I assume this means they've pulled out of all Saturday sport as well. That's a real shame as they were quite strong in ISA Div 2

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I hope this is successful enough to run for years to come.

I have a feeling the potential for more sides to join will grow as a result of financial pressures in the community. Some kids who may have been sent to a GPS or CAS School in years gone by may be sent to other options. They can bring the same interests to the Schools.

Also, the natural growth of Sydney and geographic push will play a part. I may be off but I heard someone talking about this with the seeming rapid rise of Oakhill in standard and depth.

 

[DaSchmooze]

I hope this is successful enough to run for years to come.

I have a feeling the potential for more sides to join will grow as a result of financial pressures in the community. Some kids who may have been sent to a GPS or CAS School in years gone by may be sent to other options. They can bring the same interests to the Schools.

Also, the natural growth of Sydney and geographic push will play a part. I may be off but I heard someone talking about this with the seeming rapid rise of Oakhill in standard and depth.

And following on from that, the (relatively) cheaper school fees at Oakhill compared to that of a GPS or CAS school makes attending Oakhill even more appealing if you're a Rugby family.

It's such a massive growth area of Sydney out there and Oakhill have the place all to themselves.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

People seem to be heading towards more and more private schooling at various degrees of cost.

Can Rugby benefit? May have lost CHS but could another tier emerge....

 

[Pfitzy]

It's such a massive growth area of Sydney out there and Oakhill have the place all to themselves.

It is, and it isn't. We're in the middle of Kellyville, and as I've said in the Subbies thread, the majority of the growth in the area is immigration-based, being south/east Asian by and large. It will be a while before I can take advantage of kids who played at "the right school"

Oakhill are probably the strongest in the area and I'm seeing a few of their lads head to Eastwood or higher.

Speaking of Eastwood: while their base of players may increasingly be from around this area, likewise Castle Hill is undergoing significant demographic change as the high rise developments increase, particularly around the Metro line. It'll be interesting to see where that goes.

 

[Pfitzy]

People seem to be heading towards more and more private schooling at various degrees of cost.

Can Rugby benefit? May have lost CHS but could another tier emerge....

Several public high schools in the area aren't "big" Rugby League schools, so there are options for dual code recruitment.

Initiatives like this competition can help, even if the schools aren't going to put up massive rugby programs (PAC had 1 reserve yesterday).

The question is whether it can live beyond the individuals who have established it and are running it today. I'm certainly on board

Surprised to see a combined team from Redfield. I would have thought they'd have a standalone squad

I believe their new Principal - also coach of Redfield Old Boys Rugby - is going to help turn that around, with the help of those Old Boys, hopefully.

 

[DaSchmooze]

I believe their new Principal - also coach of Redfield Old Boys Rugby - is going to help turn that around, with the help of those Old Boys, hopefully.

That's good to hear. Pound for pound Redfield are (were) right up there as one of the most consistent Rugby schools doing the rounds. The Old Boys club seemed to emulate their school program too. Not a massive program but always consistent.

 

[moa999]

Oakhill have the place all to themselves.

When did Northolm drop their teams?
From school site they have an academy but kids play club rugby only.

 

[Crashy]

This is great news. Has to be a good thing for local clubs if they can recruit and possibly another rugby playing school in the Penrith area that the re-set Penrith Emus can draw from to create a healthy colts program. The lifeblood of a club in the eyes of many.

 

[Pfitzy]

(BTW the First XV competition was won by Redfield back in July - naturally enough it had to finish before HSC).

 

[Pfitzy]

Arndell got over Rouse Hill Anglican 24-7 today in U16 just before the weather closed in.

RHAC had all the ball early and looked pretty sharp. Arndell a little more structured in Rugby terms and had more pill in the back end.

 

[Pfitzy]

Great game at the Field Of Dreams today - Arndell running away early over Rouse Hill Anglican, but RHAC coming back hard in the 2nd half despite no subs. This is a really great comp and I'm going to sit down with them and local junior clubs and work out how best to help each other.

 

[Pfitzy]

Intermediate (U16) final tonight at Arndell between them and Redfield/ Pacific Hills. Visitors were dominant in the first half but Arndell came back to clinch it with a late try.

High quality effort from both teams. Much credit to all involved.