QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[noknowledgeatall]

we barely need this chat in the threads that are supposed to be about it, we definitely don't need it in the QPR thread

it was a response comment to a train of discussion saying good players are stuck in QPR / Amateur rugby. There are players of Super Standard but no places for them, maybe because of some of the recruiting practises.

 

[HarryElite]

De Lutis also to Wests.
Bulldogs on a bit of a spree to shore up the loss of the Rebels connection.

Wests have also signed 4-5 shute shield guys.

 

[Jets]

I hear that GPS have lost a lot of players for 2025. A few off to Sydney, a couple retiring and some going OS.

 

[SouthernX]

Wests have also signed 4-5 shute shield guys.

Fingers crossed Whiteside & Usher are coming back.

they were standouts IMO going from QPR to Shute shield.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Wests have also signed 4-5 shute shield guys.

does wests have a big financial backer?

anyone know where gibbs will end up?

 

[Cole]

I hear that GPS have lost a lot of players for 2025. A few off to Sydney, a couple retiring and some going OS.

They've thrown a fair bit of cash at James Martens the young 9, hes left Wests to go to GPS

 

[Elwee's Loo]

Wests have also signed 4-5 shute shield guys.

Hi, Harry. Do you know who they signed?

 

[Interested Viewer]

does wests have a big financial backer?

anyone know where gibbs will end up?

Wests have the financial model that every club should aspire to. Commercial building with blue chip tenants

 

[PhilClinton]

Wests have the financial model that every club should aspire to. Commercial building with blue chip tenants

This may take the thread down another path, but I guess it is the offseason.

Wests are done a great job with that new setup but it probably isn't viable for every club, particularly due to location. Wests were already in prime real estate in terms of proximity to the CBD and an existing retail hub. It makes the commercial leases much more appealing to potential tenants.

I am not sure a couple of others would be so lucky to have the ability to easily setup something similar and attract valuable tenants.

I think there is some inherited risk with linking your club finances to commercial agreements and I honestly don't know how much of that whole setup is a direct benefit to Wests. But I'd imagine there could be scenarios where the spaces are vacant and that could negatively impact cash flow for the club.

Sunnybank obviously ran into a similar issue when their agreement with the pokies club dissolved, and their cash dried up and the club went downhill.

 

[Jets]

Sunnybank's issues can be fixed though as their members vote for the board of the licenced club. They just need to find some competent people who are willing to put in the time and vote them onto the board.

I would think Brothers and Easts could both do something similar to Wests, its about finding the money and personnel to make it happen.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Wests have the financial model that every club should aspire to. Commercial building with blue chip tenants

And Brownie dipping into his own pocket pretty deeply.

 

[Pfitzy]

And Brownie dipping into his own pocket pretty deeply.

I need me a rich benefactor...

 

[noknowledgeatall]

This may take the thread down another path, but I guess it is the offseason.

Wests are done a great job with that new setup but it probably isn't viable for every club, particularly due to location. Wests were already in prime real estate in terms of proximity to the CBD and an existing retail hub. It makes the commercial leases much more appealing to potential tenants.

I am not sure a couple of others would be so lucky to have the ability to easily setup something similar and attract valuable tenants.

I think there is some inherited risk with linking your club finances to commercial agreements and I honestly don't know how much of that whole setup is a direct benefit to Wests. But I'd imagine there could be scenarios where the spaces are vacant and that could negatively impact cash flow for the club.

Sunnybank obviously ran into a similar issue when their agreement with the pokies club dissolved, and their cash dried up and the club went downhill.

One problem is when all these clubs were established other than Sunnybank and Bond Uni they were all in "outerish" suburbs of Brisbane that had a heavy housing / residential feel to them. People became a bit tribal to live and play locally. Most are within 7 KM of the CBD (and each other)
Brisbane has grown and inner city living has changed to apartments and units to house singles, dinks and students instead of families 9 eg where do the juniors come from?
Just maybe there could be an argument for expansion from 9 teams to 10 (or 12) to tap into the outer areas instead of leaving it for AFL and Mungoball. Areas like Caboolture / Northlakes, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich / Ripley all have massive housing growth so there are people there.
Might even bring in some fresh money.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Yeah I worry about the same in regards with Sydney. A lot of younger families being pushed out of rugby strongholds in the northern beaches and north shore.

 

[PhilClinton]

One problem is when all these clubs were established other than Sunnybank and Bond Uni they were all in "outerish" suburbs of Brisbane that had a heavy housing / residential feel to them. People became a bit tribal to live and play locally. Most are within 7 KM of the CBD (and each other)
Brisbane has grown and inner city living has changed to apartments and units to house singles, dinks and students instead of families 9 eg where do the juniors come from?

Whilst I agree in general, I think we are still a generation or two away from having the core inner city clubs feeling the pinch of no family links. Places like Ashgrove, Toowong, Hamilton etc. are all proper blue chip suburbs these days but there are still families managing to squeeze into the property market there. They also still have strong ties to the local private schools.

Generally I think a lot of the clubs are still pretty solid for juniors (I am not in rugby admin though so could be way off the mark). The blokes who were lacing up boots back in 2000 - 2015 when rugby was still very well supported have young families and are bringing those kids down to Pony Club, Puppy Club etc. I know a couple of GPS old boys who travel a fair distance just to have their kids run around at the club on a Friday night.

Where I think we will get into trouble is the lack of exposure and connection the following generation of players from 2015+ who haven't been able to experience rugby really thriving as a top tier sport in this country.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

One problem is when all these clubs were established other than Sunnybank and Bond Uni they were all in "outerish" suburbs of Brisbane that had a heavy housing / residential feel to them. People became a bit tribal to live and play locally. Most are within 7 KM of the CBD (and each other)
Brisbane has grown and inner city living has changed to apartments and units to house singles, dinks and students instead of families 9 eg where do the juniors come from?
Just maybe there could be an argument for expansion from 9 teams to 10 (or 12) to tap into the outer areas instead of leaving it for AFL and Mungoball. Areas like Caboolture / Northlakes, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich / Ripley all have massive housing growth so there are people there.
Might even bring in some fresh money.

People already dislike the commute from Bond to play QPR.

Sunny Coast integrating into QPR was tried in the form of an amalgamated team and nowadays those in charge are prioritizing a local-focused Sunny Coast rugby comp.

The hard truth of the matter is that traveling over an hour to play amateur rugby is not an attractive proposition for most people. Prem grade players might be willing, but you need buy in and rego from 2G, 3G, 4G to fund the venture and those fellas aren't interested.

 

[Pfitzy]

Yeah I worry about the same in regards with Sydney. A lot of younger families being pushed out of rugby strongholds in the northern beaches and north shore.

The lower north shore had already seen multiple Subbies clubs fold or merge.

But where are the people going? A lot of the growth areas are based on immigration and they're not traditionally Rugby people.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

I know quite a few people from those areas who have made the move up to newcastle or the central coast.

 

[Pfitzy]

I know quite a few people from those areas who have made the move up to newcastle or the central coast.

Makes sense. Pretty much anyone reaching retirement age out here sells up for big bucks and moves up the coast. Hence a distinct lack of Old Boys.

 

[Wilson]

People already dislike the commute from Bond to play QPR.

Sunny Coast integrating into QPR was tried in the form of an amalgamated team and nowadays those in charge are prioritizing a local-focused Sunny Coast rugby comp.

The hard truth of the matter is that traveling over an hour to play amateur rugby is not an attractive proposition for most people. Prem grade players might be willing, but you need buy in and rego from 2G, 3G, 4G to fund the venture and those fellas aren't interested.

I feel like if there was to be expansion, Wynumm is where we'd need to look. It fills a geographical gap in the current competition and has a reasonably well established club there already. I'm not sure what appetite there is in QPR or from Wynumm Bugs, but it feels more workable than Sunny coast or Logan, which have never really been able to get off the ground.

Would have to be a fair bit of momentum coming from the club itself for any expansion to work though, I doubt it's the sort of thing that can be driven from the competition (though plenty of support would need to come from it).