How many subbies clubs are saying they should receive ARU funding ILTW?
The disdain is that the SS Clubs create a situation where they themselves inflate the going rate for players (by competing) and then ask for the ARU to assist in funding their programs.
Super franchises bring in revenue for the game. Does a 2nd Sydney team increase TV markets (which increases value), help appeal to new players (specifically juniors). Also you have to consider would a second Sydney team dilute the Waratahs support? Considering the state has been bailed out by the ARU twice and barely broke a profit after winning the title, surely this would just create 2 franchises needing the ARU to prop them up.
I'm not saying dismembering the Shute Shield is good for the game. I'm asking, if all the supporters want to say how integral it is, provide some reasoning behind this, and how if it was dismembered, it could not be replicated, and the disadvantage would be more than the time lag where new teams need to get up to speed with the level.
Right now part of the benefits that the Shute Shield and their teams provide is due to the fact they are protected as Shute Shield Clubs. Colleagues couldn't just instantly replace Easts. But a huge factor is the fact that all of the talent has gravitated to Easts by virtue of their place in the Shute Shield. Colleagues have no incentive to become a Shute Shield level enterprise because there is no mechanism for them to progress.
Now if the SS was disbanded the strongest clubs would form the Kentwell Cup and by default that would be the premier grade. If there were non SS Clubs there would be a lag while they get up to speed. What I want to be told is why if this was to occur, the game world be worse off, other than the lag of a couple of years while clubs get up to speed.
Basically what are (and can) the clubs doing better going forward, not retell us about the past and say that's why it's so important.
I'm not saying that's the way forward, I'm just saying justify it more than what amounts closely to "all the best players pass through here because the status quo provides no alternative for them to". The system funnels players to the SS clubs as it is.
I'll be the first to admit that players like Jordy Reid and Caydern Neville would not be playing Super Rugby if not for the Shute Shield but how many clubs beyond Uni and Manly are preparing numbers players for that step up?
We can talk about junior development but that would still occur. Almost every sub-union in Australia has junior representative teams without a premier grade team in that state's competition. The Gold Coast had one before the Gold Coast Breakers and continues to have one now that team has become part of Bond University. Despite the lack of alliance with the Hospitals Cup team, players like Jarred Butler still have progressed through the system.
Don't tell me what happens, the same as it happens every. Tell me what's unique and cannot be replaced, or will drop in quality permanently without the current system.