QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[LevitatingSocks]

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.

Ironically rugby's private school association works well for breaking into that demographic.

I know a fair few boys that were sent to private schools by their very stereotypically Asian and South Asian parents for the academics but fell in love with rugby along the way to the point that they still play grades or rock up to watch club.

 

[Pfitzy]

Yep - see a few around here in Sydney Subbies.

I think Rugby is the second biggest sport in Sri Lanka? I'm a generation away from recruiting those guys if I'm not too old and my club still exists!

 

[Spamnoodle]

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).

Agree, along with Redlands and Ipswich, yes Ipswich is a league stronghold but there could be links with the many private schools and there is a lot of British, Saffa and Kiwi expats to be tapped into. All growth areas.

 

[Watchingrugby]

Ironically rugby's private school association works well for breaking into that demographic.

I know a fair few boys that were sent to private schools by their very stereotypically Asian and South Asian parents for the academics but fell in love with rugby along the way to the point that they still play grades or rock up to watch clIt is

Ironically rugby's private school association works well for breaking into that demographic.

I know a fair few boys that were sent to private schools by their very stereotypically Asian and South Asian parents for the academics but fell in love with rugby along the way to the point that they still play grades or rock up to watch club.

“Stereotypically Asia and South Asian parens”………..it is 2024 mate!

 

[Watchingrugby]

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

GPS don't pay players

 

[LevitatingSocks]

“Stereotypically Asia and South Asian parens”………..it is 2024 mate!

If you are implying what I think you're implying, let me preempt you by saying no it's not racist to acknowledge that some groups of people have a tendency to place a high value on the education their kids get.

 

[Watchingrugby]

GPS don't pay players

If you are implying what I think you're implying, let me preempt you by saying no it's not racist to acknowledge that some groups of people have a tendency to place a high value on the education their kids get.

As a society we have moved passed those type of labels……..words do matter

 

[LevitatingSocks]

As a society we have moved passed those type of labels……..words do matter

This is a particularly amusing accusation considering my specific ethnic background.

Not everyone on this forum is a 50 year old Anglo bloke.

I mean this with the utmost respect, but hypersensitivity and assuming ill intent where there is none does nothing to promote mutual understanding and inclusion. If you want to have a further conversation about this then you can PM me, but I'm here to talk about rugby.

 

[PhilClinton]

Agree, along with Redlands and Ipswich, yes Ipswich is a league stronghold but there could be links with the many private schools and there is a lot of British, Saffa and Kiwi expats to be tapped into. All growth areas.

Ipswich Rangers were always a strong junior club, not sure if they still are.

Problem is they lost all their best players to League contracts once they got older.

A big factor in securing those Brisbane fringe areas is going to come down to cost. Reality is there are a larger portion of that population still who are in the lower socio economic bracket. League is appealing because they have strong funding and you can get paid to play even at colts and grades level. Rugby on the other hand want $700 just to walk in the door.