Rugby Central
Charlie Fox (21)
Then start to invest in it and cough up the cash. There are a lot of ex Shute shield supporters (and current) in high places that can get the game running again.
Ahhhh, and there it all falls apart. Very few have the money to invest and why would they anyway.
Not that I have any cash, but why on earth would I invest big dollars (because that's what we're really talking about) in a club and competition that is required to support 2-3 grades and a couple of Colts sides with players who will never be anything more than good park footy players.
The NRL and AFL are not supporting 4th graders in the Premiership competitions. These competitions thrive because they understand that to develop elite talent, it needs to be separated from the weekend warriors
Shute Shield definitely has the tribalism, but nearly every potential fan/supporter is playing school/club rugby at the same time. So nobody can turn up. And you can't move the competition around when you're organising between 5 and 8 teams for each club.
Tradition is a wonderful thing and should never be dismissed out-of-hand. But when it's strangling the game and potential development and expansion, something's got to give.
P.S.You are right about a salary cap, although it is inconsistent with your previous arguments that the Clubs that aren't rich enough should just get stuffed. Subbies has a salary cap. It's $0. Just like your suggestion, it keeps the playing field level.