I think part of the issue with Jeeps through their junior pathways into Colts over say at least the last 5 to 6 years has been one of ownership and identity , in that , it has been too limiting in how it is perceived. And perception becomes reality. It is too lazy in thinking and expectation to expect that all Marist lads will just toddle off down the hill when they complete their schooling. The reality is over the last few years 7 or 8 of out their best 10 players have either favoured league, gone back to the farm, or gone to other clubs.
And then on top of that nothing has been done in proactive management to address proper engagement through the juniors , or externally , through other natural school catchments to change the thinking that :
1. It’s just a Marist Club (when you get into Colts )
2. And because of that the Colts teams aren’t going to be any good
Further to that, UQ and Brothers don’t need to do shit to attract and recruit because the reality is , there is perceived status / quality in aligning with UQ or Brothers.
Easts and Souths may not have as the same perceived elitism in their status in the minds of 16 to 18 year old guys ,but, have done well to build their own brand of tribalism / cult in their culture that creates the sense of belonging that a lot of young guys might be looking for.
Clubs like Jeeps , and Norths , and in fact any Club that doesn’t get their thinking up to date in and around the forward challenges of building a Club will slowly die. The lazy , cliche’d throw away lines of what they think it’s about are at least 10 years plus out of date and until they get it right it’s a slow death
Maybe the appointment of Steve Meehan as Director of Rugby is a strong step in the right direction of broader engagement , but , it isn’t really on him to set the tone on what the identity of the Club is - that starts at the top of their leadership , and it is leadership that is absolutely required to properly define this and then set about getting buy in. Are they up to it ? Guess we’ll see.
