Sydney Subbies 2025

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

I would argue Emus and Two Blues have probably been the bottom of the totem pole, along with West Harbour, when it comes to attractiveness to talent because they're not "glamour clubs" and that is a strongly "Red Rooster line" trait. Location will never be the be-all and end-all of getting talent, but for the average Subbies player it is much more of a factor given no-one is getting paid.

Whilst it’s a factor for Subbies players. Playing with your mates for your local club is definitely a big driver. But again we see the bigger clubs continue to grow regardless of house pricing and rental properties in the area being way out of the league of players.
In the last few years we have seen key members of Blue Mountains success drive across Sydney past multiple clubs to play for them.

As Pfitzy said he is in a boom area for population growth and he should see guys flocking to his club due to its location but he’s constantly fighting. Same with South Western Sydney and the number of houses being built here but how many Subbies clubs are located around here?

I’d love to see a distribution map of where Subbies players live and where they actually play. I think you will find it’s not what you think

 

[Pfitzy]

But again we see the bigger clubs continue to grow regardless of house pricing and rental properties in the area being way out of the league of players.

That's a good point. While the eastern suburbs are Rugby Heartland, I doubt whether everyone playing for Mosman lives closer to Rawson than any other ground.

It's their fuel money

 

[CrashBandicoot2]

Whatever happened to the Integrity Unit at Subbies? There have been rumours about how certain players bypass Shute Shield clubs where they were being paid to play locally for free, although nothing seems to ever happen. The clubs that are doing the right thing end up at the bottom.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Whatever happened to the Integrity Unit at Subbies? There have been rumours about how certain players bypass Shute Shield clubs where they were being paid to play locally for free, although nothing seems to ever happen. The clubs that are doing the right thing end up at the bottom.

I can see now why your last account got banned.

 

[Pfitzy]

Whatever happened to the Integrity Unit at Subbies?

NSW Suburban Operations Manual Page 15 under 20. INTEGRITY COMMITTEE

https://rugby.net.au/ResDetail.asp?id=17297&OrgID=132&menu=637

There have been rumours about how certain players bypass Shute Shield clubs where they were being paid to play locally for free, although nothing seems to ever happen. The clubs that are doing the right thing end up at the bottom.

If you've got information - preferably with evidence - by all means submit it to Subbies. The process is in the Operations Manual.

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

What have you got for us Bern? A grade side in the finals? A top half finish in club champs? Some silverware!? Give us a bold prediction we can hold you to ROS.. it's what the people want

The club's position is to build on last year's Colts result through the grade sides and grow the player base. The latter has certainly happened and only time will tell with the former.
Ultimately the goal of the club is to move up a Division but the grade results obviously need to improve.
Realistically that's not going to happen this year as the jump from Division 3 to 2 is massive, not insurmountable, but a huge challenge not only in players numbers, which basically need to double, but in terms of coaches, managers, volunteers etc.
As for bold predictions, as PFE2 has suggested, at least one grade side will make it into the finals.

 

[Pfitzy]

That's a good plan.

Big jump in quality and numbers as you say for Div 2, but even the odd Halligan Cup game can help on the numbers side.