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Sydney Subbies 2025

21mm

Allen Oxlade (6)
It's a comp that is going from strength to strength. The only growing part of rugby in Australia is the women's participation (probably). Seeing the massive tunnel that Colleagues put on for their girls first team was bloody awesome and shows that its what everyone wants, so lets get behind it! If any club hasn't considered fielding a women's team, there is no better time to start up a conversation.
 

Pfitzy

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Cheers. We should see more clubs joining in, particularly from First Division. Probably need to look at splitting the competition at some point.

Hornsby go in as favourites with 7 months of runway ;)

Renegades' probably not at this stage - focus is Colts and retention of Grade.
 

ThatsCatty

Frank Row (1)
100% agree.

Playing against Hornsby was an eye-opening experience. Such a strong group of girls who have their shit in line.

Will be good to have the comp grow, and definitely see a split happening. I would argue it is almost necessary for one already with the 10 teams from this year, looking at about 12 for next.
 

21mm

Allen Oxlade (6)
Scheduling remains the issue. The gap in the market was the girls wanted to play in front of their home crowd and receive the tunnel on etc.

The challenge is making it work with the current slate of games and a lot of teams bridging across divisions.
 

Prodigy

Ron Walden (29)
And particularly difficult for clubs who don't have women's side playing against these clubs. I support the JJC and the growing of the game, but I do know how hard it is when the JJC game is scheduled in the middle of the day.
 

Mad Monday

Frank Row (1)
Any updates on teams Mad Monday celebrations?
Word of the street is Blue Mountains are still kicking on after their Kentwell Cup win.
 

ThatsCatty

Frank Row (1)
I can already think of a few ways to alleviate the problem (not entirely fix it because let's be real, this is Subbies Rugby)

The JJC draw was not finalised until the week before the competition was set to start. Obviously, yes, noting there was a few factors to this. i.e the men's draws being reshuffled due to Epping not fielding a first grade, then also Petersham jumping ship to the Jack Scott 10's Comp.

I understand and respect the effort going into the planning of competitions and it is near impossible to make everyone happy. But I'd say earlier planning is probably the key for the 2025 season.
 

ThatsCatty

Frank Row (1)
All it takes is slight shifting and communication to make room for a 40 minute game. It's not the end of the world. Was doable for Colts years ago, so should be doable for a women's game.
 

footy_footy

Ward Prentice (10)
A 45 minute gap in the middle of the day really seems like an insignificant cost. I read about clubs shrinking and struggling to field grades on here more and more. I also hear constantly how the game is dying a slow death more broadly (Wallabies 13+ in Bledisloe I).

Women's rugby, contrary to the men's game, is actually growing and ALL clubs independent of whether they have a women's team should be doing what they can to support that growth. JJC is bringing new players, new supporters and new revenue to the game! That is in everyone's best interest.
 
Re Divisional Structure for 2025, hearing Forest down to Div 2 and Newport up to Div 1. Sydney Irish up to Div 2 and Epping or Beecroft down to Div 3. Barker Old Boys down to Div 4 and Hornsby up to Div 3. Penrith uncertain but probably land in Div 4 if at all? Any other whispers?
 

DaSchmooze

Jim Clark (26)
Sydney Irish to play St. Pats on or near St Patrick's Day!!! Make it happen Subbies. I'm regretting everything I do on this day already
 

Lurker

Bob McCowan (2)
Who knows what the story is with this Subbies rep team….not a lot of info about what is happening?
 
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Here To Do

Stan Wickham (3)
It's about time, in my opinion, we had women's rugby integrated into the broader rugby and Subbies system. There will be challenges, it's naive to think there wouldn't be, but they're no more significant than a Halligans or Sutherland Cup or anything like that on a given matchday.

There is so much quality rugby across all squad sizes that is going unseen ATM since the women's game is still severely under-resourced. The clubs who have invested in the women's game are reaping those rewards now. Jump on SWRU's YouTube and watch some of the 7s I called on Saturday from the brand new Boronia Park #2. Great facility, great footy and will only get better as more attention and investment comes in.

Big part of that is also about being seen by club coaches that don't have to sacrifice ANOTHER day of their week to watch games. Plus, we always need people to run BBQ, bar, ground marshalls, water, etc. and having an extra 7-23 players plus friends and family can only be good for clubs.

I just hope that the wider "elite"/"high performance" women's system starts to entice more players across with better pathways, something that is sorely lacking outside of the Shute across all comps - looks like a number of leaguey girls are trading the Steeden for the Gilbert too so more opportunity is better for everyone.
 

Pfitzy

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Big part of that is also about being seen by club coaches that don't have to sacrifice ANOTHER day of their week to watch games.
Volunteers as well - the strain of running Saturday combined with every 2-3 Sundays was wearing.

I just hope that the wider "elite"/"high performance" women's system starts to entice more players across with better pathways, something that is sorely lacking outside of the Shute across all comps

And even within Shute. The issue there is fighting for the same resources. Like the men's game, we need to look at the model and figure out if a sub-districts approach can work. Not necessarily harping on about "the good old days", but something needs to change in the landscape so clubs and Unions work together, not at odds.
 

Crashy

John Solomon (38)
my subbies club tried to work with 'our' local Shute Shield team, Gordon in the 90s where we said we'd have a great home for excess players. Were told politely to go away.
 
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