Sydney Subbies 2025

[Pfitzy]

Whats happens if they stop paying? do they all leave?

In some cases, RL clubs have done exactly that - stopped paying - and players go elsewhere.

I bemoan the loss of Rugby clubs but RL has also shed massive numbers of clubs over the years

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

If Blue Mountains could get a strong Colts team or even a second Colts team it might be the missing piece of the puzzle for a Div1 club championship. Blueys Colts haven't played finals since 2018 (4th) which was their last year in Div2. This seems to be some good tactical leadership and management to address a possible weakness particularly if rumours of older players moving on are true. In saying that is they can get 7 grades I don't think depth will be an issue - outstanding stuff from the Mountain Goats!

Question is where are all these Colts players coming from? Two Blues have declared 3 colts teams. Penrith seem to have colts. There is the "western sydney" academy is launching, Renegades and Hills both advertising for Colts in 2025 (neither club had Colts in 2024). So there are a lot of teams looking for "new" players in the western sydney area. Is this all realistically achievable? In 2024, there were no subbies colts between Strathfield and Lapstone. In 2025 we are potentially looking at an additional 3-4 teams in this area, plus two blues...

Free subs can also go two ways - it has been used in the past by Waverley and Balmain as a last resort to try and save a failing team but if Blueys have worked their way to a financial position to offer this as a recruitment tool then great work.

At this time of the year everyone will tell you they have full grade and Colts teams.
Until they actually run out on the park in round 1no one will own up to being low on numbers worrying about the wrath of the admission and also loosing players who see low numbers and want more Stability.

 

[Pfitzy]

Linfield also offering free Colts I see.

 

[sterlingmortlocksgloves]

Linfield also offering free Colts I see.

Correct, I saw that too this afternoon.

 

[Prodigy]

At this time of the year everyone will tell you they have full grade and Colts teams.
Until they actually run out on the park in round 1no one will own up to being low on numbers worrying about the wrath of the admission and also loosing players who see low numbers and want more Stability.

Don’t be so sure.

 

[Northies]

Don’t be so sure.

Trend now below Div 1 seems to be more a case of under-reporting rather than over

 

[Pfitzy]

Trend now below Div 1 seems to be more a case of under-reporting rather than over

I don't think many people are reporting anything However a few people might be a bit cagey with social media posts

 

[footy_footy]

Calls will need to be made sooner rather than later about Divisions and Draws. Fine line between giving clubs as much time as possible and allowing clubs to plan for the season ahead, liaise with council and other users about ground availability etc. Obviously want to avoid the Division 2 situation from 2024 where everything came to light too late.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yes - it doesn't say much for growth and retention of the sport when the only reason they play is to get money.

Everytime I hear League crow about it's playing numbers, I'd love to see what they would become in the absence of payment.

It's a different mindset to the Club though and while Rugby and League share similarities in the sports they are vastly different in what they are built on.

Hesitant to barb league when that is the go in that sport and you know it from the start. They don't build Clubs to have a social 4th grade, it's built to win A grade games. As much as a player would walk if the money dried up these Clubs will cut players if you aren't performing.

 

[Pfitzy]

Calls will need to be made sooner rather than later about Divisions and Draws. Fine line between giving clubs as much time as possible and allowing clubs to plan for the season ahead, liaise with council and other users about ground availability etc. Obviously want to avoid the Division 2 situation from 2024 where everything came to light too late.

"Sooner rather than later" also has pitfalls.

Considering Subbies is run by a small board of volunteers and 2 staff, across 40+ clubs in a rapidly changing landscape for amateur & community sport, some days it is a wonder it holds together. Clubs have a lot to do with that, but also the players involved in those clubs.

And none of that is worth squat if you have an upheaval in March and have already committed to a division.

 

[Heavyd]

Given pre season is underway it will become very obvious to clubs by the end of February how they are tracking with likely player numbers & how that corresponds to late 2024 commitments.

 

[Prodigy]

Calls will need to be made sooner rather than later about Divisions and Draws. Fine line between giving clubs as much time as possible and allowing clubs to plan for the season ahead, liaise with council and other users about ground availability etc. Obviously want to avoid the Division 2 situation from 2024 where everything came to light too late.

Agree on alot of it. I know that we have sent through information to Subbies about our player numbers and situation for 2025, but we are waiting on their feedback and response.
There's alot of moving parts, I agree, but to get those all moving at the same time seems to be the issue.

There are still clubs out there trying to find coaches.

 

[Pfitzy]

Given pre season is underway it will become very obvious to clubs by the end of February how they are tracking with likely player numbers

I certainly hope so.

We've had years where 50+ turned up for the first 3 sessions, then half of them buggered off.
We've had years where 1.5 teams dropped out of the sky the day of trials.

What is consistent: the inconsistency.

We can call, message, email, WhatsApp, and advertise our shit all over social media including paid ads.

We never really know until the first serious whistle blows.

 

[Pfitzy]

There are still clubs out there trying to find coaches.

I've never had an absolute zero on reponses like this. Not even any tyre kickers.

 

[The Wombat]

Thats insanely good re the Blue Mountains. You'd imagine those living well east of Penrith my have thought lapstone too far to play so being 10 kms closer may appeal. didnt realise how close Nepean Rugby park is to Lapstone. More clubs out there the better.

Whats the clubhouse like at Lapstone these days? had toilet block vibes when I played against them in the 90s.

it's still a toilet block

 

[Northies]

I've never had an absolute zero on reponses like this. Not even any tyre kickers.

A lot of blokes will say they'll "help out", but don't actually want to "do" anything that requires responsibility.

I get it, most who get into coaching would say they want to help players and their team win. Hard to do that when you rarely get a full 15 at training, unless its stacked with guns who probably shouldn't be playing that level.

 

[Crashy]

Given pre season is underway it will become very obvious to clubs by the end of February how they are tracking with likely player numbers & how that corresponds to late 2024 commitments.

How's Newport shaping up for the big year in Div 1?

 

[Heavyd]

From reports Colts are looking red hot. Newport Grade & lower grade Rats are fighting off a cashed up local league side who appear to have a $100k war chest to build an A Grade League team.

 

[Pfitzy]

Newport Grade & lower grade Rats are fighting off a cashed up local league side who appear to have a $100k war chest to build an A Grade League team.

Why don't they do what every other league club on the beaches does and import talent from western sydney?

 

[sterlingmortlocksgloves]

From reports Colts are looking red hot. Newport Grade & lower grade Rats are fighting off a cashed up local league side who appear to have a $100k war chest to build an A Grade League team.

Would this happen to be the Turbos funding the Mona Vale raiders as a tax deduction? Or have the Avalon bulldogs got some big hitters