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.

 

[Pfitzy]

Rugby on the other hand want $700 just to walk in the door.

$700 to register??

 

[RustyT]

$700 to register??

What clubs registration fees are $700? Sounds abit steep to me!

 

[PhilClinton]

It isn’t that far off it and likely will end up there in the coming couple of years. Most junior clubs now is $400 and seniors $550-$650.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

It isn’t that far off it and likely will end up there in the coming couple of years. Most junior clubs now is $400 and seniors $550-$650.

I paid around $550 last season for grade rugby.

$600 might be my personal financial Rubicon if it ever comes to that. That's a flight and a nice weekend somewhere.

Local QAFL rego for reference is around the $400 mark.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

What clubs registration fees are $700? Sounds abit steep to me!

Most Prem Grade clubs last year were circa $500 made up from RA cut, Insurance , Qld Reds Tax then club needs.

When you add in some boots and shorts shirt etc setting up to play rugby is going to be about a 700 -800 per year past time.

 

[PhilClinton]

Most Prem Grade clubs last year were circa $500 made up from RA cut, Insurance , Qld Reds Tax then club needs.

When you add in some boots and shorts shirt etc setting up to play rugby is going to be about a 700 -800 per year past time.

Brothers was $580 and I am told it will likely cross the $600 mark for 2025.

They are including the players jersey at least. I know at some clubs with cheaper rego the jerseys are put back into the club unless you make a GF.

 

[Watchingrugby]

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.

The fact that you are continually having to explain yourself to justify your comment isn’t helping you - talking about rugby I agree, is your best approach

 

[footinbothcamps]

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!

Yes it is, my son regularly referees schoolboy games in Sri Lanka, it is televised live on TV and they get 10-15k people to the games.

 

[footinbothcamps]

It isn’t that far off it and likely will end up there in the coming couple of years. Most junior clubs now is $400 and seniors $550-$650.

the fees taken by clubs like Brothers for junior players is a joke.... over $400 to play for the year. There are junior clubs in northern NSW that only charge $150 rego fees. Lower fees can be provided, its just greedy clubs wanting cash.

 

[Pfitzy]

Our little club in Sydney is $150 for seniors but we're broke as fuck and we don't have a massive club house to upkeep like some places.

That said, we figured out it costs about $350 to get a player on the field including all kit, insurance, physio etc.

Sponsors and raffles help keep it low. Player fees are contributory at best

 

[Ignoto]

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 dunno Phil, given the location of some clubs, I think they're in a fantastic spot to replicate something similar to Wests.

Using GPS as an example, it's in the heart of family land. Why not do a rebuild and incorporate a Daycare / Kindy. Chuck in some GP doctor suites and you can cater from Birth to Death at the club.

These are two areas which aren't really going to be hugely impacted by vacancies. It is extremely difficult to find a good daycare centre and with an aging population, we need more and more health services.

Work with the brothers to help in the Daycare centre and you've got first dibs on exposing 6+ month year olds to join the Gallopers.

I would imagine the hardest part will be the capital raising side and that may require stakeholders with deep pockets (which we know the Church has).