Sydney Subbies 2024

[Prodigy]

Sounds good. Always happy to have more help - suggest you leave your details with Tim Richards as a first point

That old chestnut again.
Having been at the Subbies AGM, I’m pretty sure the board is full

 

[Pfitzy]

Having been at the Subbies AGM, I’m pretty sure the board is full

Board can't do everything; according to randoms here, they can't do anything

Definitely could use some subcommittee thinking though.

 

[Pfitzy]

My thoughts on some of the points:

1. Assign some of the subbies budgeting to marketing on socials.
2 Invest more in the NSW Rugby TV promotions and audience reach.
3 Partner with someone to do podcast style interviews or at least blogs.
4 Rep games.
5 Shute Shield or Tahs curtain raiser fixtures.
6 Night Games.

1 - One of the Chair's noted points at the AGM and in other correspondence clubs would have received. Focus in the short term is Colts.
2 - NSW Rugby TV is obviously important and also part of a larger agreement that extends outside NSWSRU, so needs to be solid.
3 - Podcasts, blogs etc. IMHO are tricky. There are already clubs claiming bias, so who determines content?
4 - Need clubs to buy into it and an opponent of some sort. Budget is a third consideration (but probably not the biggest).
5 - I'm not sure SS are ready for us to take the 1:30PM slot but would be good to have more Tahs' pregame fixtures.
6 - this has already been discussed, and implemented where feasible. There should be more of it, pending availability and willingness.

 

[Pfitzy]

More generally, it would be good if there was a standard model clubs could easily access for promoting themselves. Not everyone has the personnel with a marketing background or the skills to do social media promotion.

The issue after that can be having a point of difference Also, it isn't like clubs are fishing in distinct waters.

We engaged someone last year at the Renegades to help with the bare bones promotion side, on the understanding the spend was an investment. Content we all do ourselves.

 

[Clark Cup Karen]

That old chestnut again.
Having been at the Subbies AGM, I’m pretty sure the board is full

**the trough

 

[footy_footy]

Looks like Lindfield aren't wasting much time getting their house in order for Season 2024. Jack McGregor would be a very very handy addition to any Shute Shield club let alone Subbies! I know he's a Gordon junior and may have played juniors at Lindfield (?) so great to see him back contributing to grassroots rugby. Not sure whether he'll be participating as a coach only but having a class 10 with proper kicking and game management would go a long way to seeing Lindfield competitive in Kentwell.

Anyone else know of any other high profile recruits around the ground? Will Blueys retain their star recruits for the defence?

 

[Heavyd]

Looks like Lindfield aren't wasting much time getting their house in order for Season 2024. Jack McGregor would be a very very handy addition to any Shute Shield club let alone Subbies! I know he's a Gordon junior and may have played juniors at Lindfield (?) so great to see him back contributing to grassroots rugby. Not sure whether he'll be participating as a coach only but having a class 10 with proper kicking and game management would go a long way to seeing Lindfield competitive in Kentwell.

Anyone else know of any other high profile recruits around the ground? Will Blueys retain their star recruits for the defence?

At 26 you'd have to assume he will play.

 

[Prodigy]

At 26 you'd have to assume he will play.

Geez, embarrassment of riches for Lindfield if he does play.
Sean Grace, their 10 from 2023, is an exceptional player and was the best player in the competition. Without doubt, the best 10.
Their second grade 10, Josh Lynch, walks into a lot of first grade teams.

 

[Heavyd]

Geez, embarrassment of riches for Lindfield if he does play.
Sean Grace, their 10 from 2023, is an exceptional player and was the best player in the competition. Without doubt, the best 10.
Their second grade 10, Josh Lynch, walks into a lot of first grade teams.

The challenge for Lindfield of DIV 1 will not be to their backline, it will be the tight five where the issues may arise against the likes of the HH & mountain big men. Looking forward to see how they go. But the big focus in 2024 and pressure will be on the Whales to see if subbies made the right call in breaking the rules by not relegating them. Was 2023 just a one off and will they bounce back better than ever? Bring on the footy season!

 

[Northies]

The challenge for Lindfield of DIV 1 will not be to their backline, it will be the tight five where the issues may arise against the likes of the HH & mountain big men. Looking forward to see how they go. But the big focus in 2024 and pressure will be on the Whales to see if subbies made the right call in breaking the rules by not relegating them. Was 2023 just a one off and will they bounce back better than ever? Bring on the footy season!

The 2023 performance of drummoyne and petersham means it could go either way.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

I think if Waverley can't pull together a Colts team again this year, Colleagues have the best chance at Div 1 CC.

I dont think Lindfield Colts will be able to compete with a lot of talent going up. Coupled with Colleagues conveyor belt of talent thru the uSyd colleges.

 

[Members Section]

Div 3
Sydney Harlequins- a club on the rise and will be a toss up with Knox for the top Spot.
Premiers- Harbour- Will make it 4 in a row. No one will get close to them in 1s in this division. But will be a drama for Subbies as without the support of Easts there a 1 team club.
Spoon- Will depend on who ends up in this division but will be a toss up between the new Lane Cove/Iggies merger and Barker. Could be a tough year for the new merger club, they may benefit from a year in Div 4 to help them grow but Subbies can’t afford to loose more clubs from an already struggling division.

Are Easts not fielding a 5th XV with Harbour's as their reserves this yr?

 

[Heavyd]

Credit where credit is due, congrats to subbies on getting out the Div 1 & 2 draws so early this year. It has clearly allowed clubs to plan their year, particularly from a social perspective. Looking at the Breakers as an example they have a mapped out their home game activities, along with which away games will be themed bus trips. Having trials locked in by first week of January allows for a good build up against Beecroft and the old enemy Forest. This builds confidence and momentum for players but also for committees and volunteers as it takes the last minute stress out of organistation.

 

[DaSchmooze]

Now that the dust has (seemingly) settled on the issue, can we get a clear eyed response from anyone who had a hand in determining St. Pats being placed in Div 2. I (and would assume most clubs) would like to know that if the Club Championship isn't the determining factor with promotion/relegation, then what is? What is/are the criteria? Where can these criteria be found online?

If the answer to the above is "it's a case by case basis" then can anyone from the board specifically outline what is that St. Pats have done or didn't do to warrant relegation?

@pftizy - I know you do a whole lot here on this forum to keep us up to speed with the goings on at a board level and we appreciate that. I also appreciate that it's not your sole decision to determine who is promoted and is relegated. But I do think that all clubs (and interested onlookers) need to brought up to speed with how these decisions are made. The lack of clarity is breeding contempt and it doesnt need to be this way - particularly if there are potentially valid reasons. Any input you have would be appreciated (as always).

Has the boards reasoning been published anywhere?

 

[21mm]

Now that the dust has (seemingly) settled on the issue, can we get a clear eyed response from anyone who had a hand in determining St. Pats being placed in Div 2. I (and would assume most clubs) would like to know that if the Club Championship isn't the determining factor with promotion/relegation, then what is? What is/are the criteria? Where can these criteria be found online?

If the answer to the above is "it's a case by case basis" then can anyone from the board specifically outline what is that St. Pats have done or didn't do to warrant relegation?

@pftizy - I know you do a whole lot here on this forum to keep us up to speed with the goings on at a board level and we appreciate that. I also appreciate that it's not your sole decision to determine who is promoted and is relegated. But I do think that all clubs (and interested onlookers) need to brought up to speed with how these decisions are made. The lack of clarity is breeding contempt and it doesnt need to be this way - particularly if there are potentially valid reasons. Any input you have would be appreciated (as always).

Has the boards reasoning been published anywhere?

I was at the AGM, where Subbies position on the matter was outlined.

From my recollection of the Chairmans message the below was noted:

Player numbers, especially towards the end of the season were dwindling, and many 3rd graders were playing two games to make 4th grade happen.
1st Grade were not at the level required to compete in the division.
Analysis was completed around the strength of each win vs the losses. IE Each win they achieved was within X points compared to the losses which gave an average of Y points (or something to that effect).
The decision was handed down with the "finest of margins", but ultimately Mosman was deemed to have had a 1 off bad year across the grades, but still had numbers to supplement them staying in the top tier.
Subbies also mentioned that their promotion may have come pre-maturely when they were asked to come up. Subbies fell on their sword on this point. A bit like 'its not you its me'.

Dont shoot the messenger. But this was my best recollection of their main points of Defence. I cant recall the exact numbers of the votes, but lets just say it wasn't close.

 

[Heavyd]

Without wanting to rehash this and I acknowledge St Pats frustration on what has happened to them in 2023. Subbies need to come out with a statement that either indicates that from 2024 relegation will be now purely based on the Club Champs ladder. If that is no longer the case and there is a different model then these metrics need to be clearly stated on what they are and how they will be are measured. Transparency into 2025 is required if there is a move away from CC for promotion and relegation.

 

[footy_footy]

I think the major selling point in favour of Subbies at the EGM/AGM was the symmetrical draw and division structure. No one liked the stop-start draw in 2024 and the odd number of teams didn't work.The prospect of a 2023 draw repeat in Div 1 & 2 was in no ones best interest and St Pat's were the club to pay for it, whether they like it or not and whether the reasons were good, bad or ugly. The appeals of St Pat's and Petersham stood in the way of this preferred draw.

At the end of the day clubs may think St Pat's (and to a lesser extent Petersham) were hard done by but are they going to give up a well structured draw without ridiculous byes and weeks off to support a club they may not have liked in the first place? I doubt it!

I ultimately think that Subbies will take some sort of affirmative steps this year to clarify the promotion/relegation status otherwise the same issues will come in October 2024. The explanation around the entire process was pretty pathetic and wouldn't stand in a professional environment with tighter scrutiny - they did ultimately get what they wanted!

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

The Blackdog cup looks interesting. Should be a big crowd hopefully.

Will be interesting to see how big or if there is a gulf between Div 1 and 2. Thoughts?

 

[Crashy]

The Blackdog cup looks interesting. Should be a big crowd hopefully.

Will be interesting to see how big or if there is a gulf between Div 1 and 2. Thoughts?

what is the format?

 

[Heavyd]

The Blackdog cup looks interesting. Should be a big crowd hopefully.

Will be interesting to see how big or if there is a gulf between Div 1 and 2. Thoughts?

What is it? If It Blue Mountains vs Lindfield it will be 100-0