^^I know, but 15 years ago Penrith had a semi-competitive 1st grade side, a semi-competitive 1st grade colts side and the lower grades in both used to concede 60-70. We don't seem to have gone anywhere in that time - if anything the lower grade scores are getting worse.
Perhaps they wouldn't automatically go to Parramatta. Many would stay at Penrith and play Kentwell Cup, which is probably the level that some of them are at. The ones who want to play at the higher level with find an SS club, Parramatta geographically would at least get some and possibly most. In theory it would give Parramatta more resources to draw upon.
It's not a great solution, but I only really see bad options here.
I'm a great advocate of spreading rugby to the west, but the current situation with Penrith isn't doing anyone any good. I don't know exactly what the answer is though.
I'd be interested in what those closer to the ground in western Sydney think:
Is the presence of Penrith in SS doing any good at the grass roots levels?
Would it be better for one club in the area i.e. Parramatta, to be strong rather than have two clubs in the bottom half of the table on a permanent basis?
What if anything can ARU/NSWRU do to advance the game in places like Penrith and Cambelltown?
I noticed that recently Hawkesbury Valley JRU changed its affiliation from Penrith to Parramatta - is this a sign of things to come? (no criticism intended of HV)
Would we be better off in the short term having Parramatta in SS covering western Sydney and have the Western Rams NRC team playing out of Penrith Park?
My comments here could potentially start of war so I need to choose my words carefully.
Firstly - Hawkesbury Valley changed affiliation to Penrith 3 years ago. They now wish to return to the District that started them. That's not a criticism of anyone, just a reflection of what is happening.
I agree with other comments that the Riff players would not necessarily come to Parra if the Riff were removed from SS. But we also need to consider, would Parra take them too? Each year there's always half a dozen or so players who move between the 2 clubs. Think back to end of 09 when the Riff grabbed virtually 3/4 of our SS side. There's been a trickle back here and there, it's not an ugly thing, just the reality that some of the players in both clubs really don't want to travel too far for perceived better opportunities. It is what it is.
I also chuckle at the tunnel vision majority who think a merger would work. The fact is that those who live in the eastern suburbs or north shore think Parra and Penrith are close. Reality is, that Rat Park is geographically closer to Uni number 1 than Granville Park is to Nepean Rugby Park. And that's just stating the geographical distance between the 2 clubs. Philosophically (and I think Penrith would agree) the clubs are even further apart.
There is a very strong dislike of each other between the two playing groups. Evidenced by the Round 18 match last year. Management side, not so much, but it's there too. a thousand years ago when I was playing, the players dislike was of Eastwood and Randwick, but the modern player has their attentions drawn further west. Again, not a criticism of anyone, it is what it is.
It'd be fair to say that Warringah and Manly and/or Easts and Randwick get on better with each other than what Parra and Penrith do.
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I have lived in the Penrith area on and off for 25 years, probably 30 now I think of it. The sad reality is that except for a few dedicated rugby heads, the public couldn't give a crap about rugby out here. Penrith has the 2 biggest junior rugby league clubs on the planet. St Clair and St Marys who have in excess of 800 players each. Throw in Brothers who I believe now share Nepean Rugby Park and Minchinbury Jets who are both larger than Newport and Hunters Hill rugby clubs it shows you the size of the foothold the mungoes have out here.