Gary Owen III
Syd Malcolm (24)
Some weeks this year the draw was being altered on Friday night!
Wed night the SJRU held a meeting for all the Clubs which was also attended by Nick Farr-Jones, Bruce Worboys, Michael Doyle, Kerry Brady / Matt Kellehan and the ARU Development officers.
I am told they spoke of the recent club and player surveys and the results theses showed. Plus of the 1st Aid program and if it is to become mandatory.
Major points were;
*The competition structures this season and why some comps had bigger numbers of teams etc. Basically it was explained that it is not an exact science and 90% of the issues are around A grade. They said 3 or 4 team comps are not an option, yet if there are 4 or 5 good teams then to throw the next best 1 or 2 sides into a small comp to be beaten EVERY week is not an option either. Thus the larger competitions were preferred as there may be one or two blowouts against the top sides but the majority of games would be competitive, and no one side is "thrown to the wolves". They did say that someone will always be unhappy as someone must come last.
*The proposed rule change where players MUST play within their district. Clubs cannot register a "New" player from outside their district without dispensation from the Comp manager. All 2013 players that fall into this category will be allowed stay where they are. The presidents noted that this was going to be a difficult one with some districts having grey areas between them plus the potential to lose players to rugby if forcing them away from teams they want to play in.
*Plus the removal of the Grandfather clause for Reps for 2014 U16's. In the past U15 Rep players used to be granted and exemption from U16's club rugby the following year to still be eligible for Reps. In 2014 the proposal is that all players must play their minimum 4 club rugby games to be eligible for Reps. This in part is a reaction to the withdrawal from the competition by one clubs U16A team in the weeks following the State Champs this year. Concern came that this may see a lot of players withdrawing from club rugby after the State Champs are over or not bothering at all and the U16 State Champs will resemble the U17 State Champs.
The other point to note from the meeting was that SJRU is behind Saturday rugby if there are the teams to play in it - but there is not much they can do if only 2 or 3 teams want to play on a Saturday.
Good to see the number of high ranking officials here - hopefully this is a good sign of a new and improved commitment to juniors.