Play Super, Play Local

[Rugby Central]

The topic of White’s decision to play Brumbies in Canberra’s local competition seems to invade other threads so I thought it time to step out on its own.

The Coach on a separate thread accurately said “Spreading the non-test S15 players across multiple competitions seems to be a direct contradiction to the often expressed need for a 3rd tier.”

Who’s to say that Sydney’s the best place for that to happen?

There are 7 Canberra Clubs all producing decent Rugby. Their grounds are as good or better than some of the goat tracks Sydney Clubs are forced to play on. The reality is the “3rd Tier” can only exist when it can sell a TV product. Geography has nothing to do with that. Add in access to the AIS, quality universities for post career development and a population with near the highest average disposable income and it has the makings of a good competition. They also have one advantage that the Shute Shield can never overcome, no matter how much money is available….they would not be hindered by the administration of the NSWRU.

This does not discount Brisbane as a possibility. However the strong markets of League and AFL would make competing more difficult. The main point is NSW has had nearly a hundred years to develop a viable competition. Yet still can’t get it right. As the ref says, “use it or lose it”.

So, the Brumbies and ACT Rugby have made the decision to develop their competition into the best in Australia by ensuring that local rugby fans get to see the best players available. They are working for the good of rugby in the ACT, not at their chosen club. If I was a young player with dreams of higher honours (without the old school tie connection) I would go where I would get the most exposure to top quality players and coaches….and at the moment, that is not Sydney

Declaration. I have played Shute Shield, John I Dent and Kentwell. I believe the depth of Australian Rugby is greater than many, even on G&GR, believe. Administrators need to look outside their tiny boxes if Australian Rugby is to ever reach its potential. I don’t care where it happens, I would just like to see it happen. I think White's decision is the right one and other provinces could do worse than follow this path.

 

[Dave Beat]

They also have one advantage that the Shute Shield can never overcome, no matter how much money is available….they would not be hindered by the administration of the NSWRU.

Unfortunately true.

This does not discount Brisbane as a possibility. However the strong markets of League and AFL would make competing more difficult. The main point is NSW has had nearly a hundred years to develop a viable competition. Yet still can’t get it right. As the ref says, “use it or lose it”.

What do you classify as the NRL & AFL's 1st, 2nd & 3rd tier. They seem to invest heavily in and promote the club structure.
NRL the State of Origin takes care of itself, as would a Bledisloe. I try and support the Waratah's, but follow the club playing the best brand of rugby. But I get more enjoyment getting down to Manly each fortnight.

So, the Brumbies and ACT Rugby have made the decision to develop their competition into the best in Australia by ensuring that local rugby fans get to see the best players available. They are working for the good of rugby in the ACT, not at their chosen club. If I was a young player with dreams of higher honours (without the old school tie connection) I would go where I would get the most exposure to top quality players and coaches….and at the moment, that is not Sydney

If the ACT comp joined the Shute Shield during the Super Season I dont think they would fair to well at all.
I agree with strengthening the ACT comp, the best way i see that happening post the Super Rugby comp - there is a window there that has to be filled.

 

[Cat_A]

I'm not from NSW, so I'm not 100% sure of this, but I thought the Shute Shield was administered by the Sydney Rugby Union, not the NSWRU.

Am I confused?

 

[the coach]

I'm not from NSW, so I'm not 100% sure of this, but I thought the Shute Shield was administered by the Sydney Rugby Union, not the NSWRU.

Am I confused?

Yes, you are confused, but so it everyone else!
I'm not sure anyone knows what the Sydney Rugby Union does or why it exists!

 

[Glen Christini]

I think all franchises should have players playing in the local comp - a big part of the responsibility of professional players is to promote the game at a community level.

3rd Tier - why not just combine the ACT Clubs and Shute Shield Clubs. 10 team premier division and 9 team championship division with promotion/relegation at the end of the season. In my opinion drop the bottom 2 Shute Shield teams into the Canberra comp for year one, would take 2 or three seasons to fall into place properly and give a starting point to build an effective 3rd teir which will take time. Gotta start somewhere. Seaons end could see a representative program operate perhaps in addition.

 

[the coach]

I think all franchises should have players playing in the local comp - a big part of the responsibility of professional players is to promote the game at a community level.

3rd Tier - why not just combine the ACT Clubs and Shute Shield Clubs. 10 team premier division and 9 team championship division with promotion/relegation at the end of the season. In my opinion drop the bottom 2 Shute Shield teams into the Canberra comp for year one, would take 2 or three seasons to fall into place properly and give a starting point to build an effective 3rd teir which will take time. Gotta start somewhere. Seaons end could see a representative program operate perhaps in addition.

We have had teams from Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra in the Shute Shield in past years and the logistics of travel and the travel costs (4 teams + colts) were issues to both the Sydney clubs and the others. I believe the Sydney clubs also complained that they were assisting the Brumbies to get stronger at the expense of the Waratahs!

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I think all franchises should have players playing in the local comp - a big part of the responsibility of professional players is to promote the game at a community level.

3rd Tier - why not just combine the ACT Clubs and Shute Shield Clubs. 10 team premier division and 9 team championship division with promotion/relegation at the end of the season. In my opinion drop the bottom 2 Shute Shield teams into the Canberra comp for year one, would take 2 or three seasons to fall into place properly and give a starting point to build an effective 3rd teir which will take time. Gotta start somewhere. Seaons end could see a representative program operate perhaps in addition.

Not a bad idea, however, If it were to occur I'd imagine the top three Canberra clubs may want to participate in the premier division instead of the championship. I think the likes of Tuggers and Quenabeyan would be competitive in the Premier Division. That said I don't mind the general concept. Would certainly be an easier sell than the separate competitions at the moment. If the NBL can get on FTA surely a 10 team premier divsion could. In time hopefully some Brisbane clubs could get involved and even possibly Melbourne and Perth. I think it'd be a decent starting point or at the very least investigated.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

We have had teams from Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra in the Shute Shield in past years and the logistics of travel and the travel costs (4 teams + colts) were issues to both the Sydney clubs and the others. I believe the Sydney clubs also complained that they were assisting the Brumbies to get stronger at the expense of the Waratahs!

See this doesn't make sense. If they wanted to help the Waratahs over the years wouldn't certain clubs have tried to encourage players from Sydney not to sign for the Brumbies? The prevailing attitudes that exist at that level need to be overcome.

 

[the coach]

See this doesn't make sense. If they wanted to help the Waratahs over the years wouldn't certain clubs have tried to encourage players from Sydney not to sign for the Brumbies? The prevailing attitudes that exist at that level need to be overcome.

When I said "Sydney clubs" I probably should have said "NSWRU".

 

[happyjack]

This raises an interesting issue.
At one level you have community club running 8+ teams affiliated to their geographical unions.
At another level you have an elite (hesitate to say 3rd Tier) team/club that has to engage and work with all 5 franchises, the ARU 7s, overseas professional players etc.
The ARU should relate/affiliate the clubs they want/need directly to them as Premier Rugby id about 3rd Tier and the viability of Super Rugby and nothing to do with the Waratahs and Reds.