Its a massive catch 22. We go one way we lose players as there isn't enough competition to house them. We go the other way and continue to struggle to get teams on the field. The one major point is that we keep the women's competition keeps going as its a competition that gets stronger each year and we need to support its growth.
Maybe the best option is to look within the competition for options rather than outside? A one-team competition within SIRU has potential and could be considerably easier to organise with less impact on other zones?
Splitting the competitions is also another good point. With the teams in focus it will almost remove the Monaro reserve competition bar Jindabyne & Bungendore. Taking teams out of the Presidents Cup South comp will hurt an already small pool. As for SIRU taking out the 3 most Northern teams it will re-establish the centralisation of Wagga and create less travel for everyone involved. It will also make for a more interesting finals series as there wouldn't be a split.
I think this will be a major stumbling block for the proposal as it impacts on too many other competitions and I reckon a very similar outcome could be had if the focus were on existing SIRU Teams plus Harden. Coota, Temora, Junee, Young, Harden, Hay, Deni, BARC?
An option within SIRU provides a pathway for growth, is closely aligned with the junior competition, is already serviced by the local Referees Association, is already administered by SIRU (Brumbies Rugby) and doesn't impact on other competitions.
As I've said before, I think it's positive to be talking about this now rather than in November where there is very little room for movement.