VRU 2013

[en_force_er]

I think Footscray was out because they could not field 3 teams for a season, where they than merged another side into their club to get the numbers. Southern Districts also do a similar thing by having Cerberus Naval Base play in the 3rds and than have their 4ths in a lower division.

With Division 2 only having two grades, which comp are Boroondara 3rds placed into?

VRU website has undergone a facelift and now looks very similar to the Rebels website.

Footscray much like Boroondara failed to be competitive for several seasons in a variety of grades. I'm not aware if they used the fact that they didn't have 3 teams as rationale to move them down but that wouldn't make sense because Souths are/were in the same situation (as you said).

When Footscray went to 2nd Div there were 3 grades in 2nd Div and Footscray allowed the Melbourne Chargers to play under their banner which was ultimately a failure and Footscray ended up making up the chargers team from mostly their own playing stocks.

You're right that there's an issue as to where Boroondara's 3s play in the future but don't Boroondara struggle to find the number anyway? Hopefully 2nd Div is boosted up to 3 grades again in 2013 with good numbers or maybe a club won't be able to find the numbers for premier 4 and Boroondara's 3s can play there.

It made more sense to move 2 premier clubs down because then you have 6 teams injected into 2nd division and thus enough for 3 2nd Division grades, this is my only issue with the 9 team premier grade system.

 

[KevinO]

Footscray much like Boroondara failed to be competitive for several seasons in a variety of grades. I'm not aware if they used the fact that they didn't have 3 teams as rationale to move them down but that wouldn't make sense because Souths are/were in the same situation (as you said).

When Footscray went to 2nd Div there were 3 grades in 2nd Div and Footscray allowed the Melbourne Chargers to play under their banner which was ultimately a failure and Footscray ended up making up the chargers team from mostly their own playing stocks.

You're right that there's an issue as to where Boroondara's 3s play in the future but don't Boroondara struggle to find the number anyway? Hopefully 2nd Div is boosted up to 3 grades again in 2013 with good numbers or maybe a club won't be able to find the numbers for premier 4 and Boroondara's 3s can play there.

It made more sense to move 2 premier clubs down because then you have 6 teams injected into 2nd division and thus enough for 3 2nd Division grades, this is my only issue with the 9 team premier grade system.

I played 3rds and at the start of the season we had 23 players, once the injuries kicked in we still had at least 18 at the start with the seconds bench being made up of 3rds players. There was only one game where we only had 15 players and the rest of the season we never failed to have a bench. Problem was the first and seconds where getting the injuries and the 3rds was made up of mainly guys who wanted a social run around.

 

[en_force_er]

I played 3rds and at the start of the season we had 23 players, once the injuries kicked in we still had at least 18 at the start with the seconds bench being made up of 3rds players. There was only one game where we only had 15 players and the rest of the season we never failed to have a bench. Problem was the first and seconds where getting the injuries and the 3rds was made up of mainly guys who wanted a social run around.

Fair enough. In that case if Boroondara had 3 teams of 15 every week of the season there's no real reason to demote them.

 

[KevinO]

Fair enough. In that case if Boroondara had 3 teams of 15 every week of the season there's no real reason to demote them.

At the end of the day they need all clubs to be more competetive with the top couple of teams, how they do this is the question. Boroondara had Tom Chamberland play one game with them on their way back from injury which helped. Power House had Adam Frier for a long part of the season, maybe Rebels players should have to play Victorian Club rugby instead of Shute Shield to help improve the quality of rugby. I know Vuna played one game for E Hills against Boroondara.

 

[KevinO]

‎"the VRU Board has unanimously decided to advise Boroondara that there will not be a place for them in Premier Division in 2013 and in consequence will adopt a 9-team Premier Division draw for 2013".

"Whilst the Board recognised that this will mean that clubs will be given byes in 2013, the Board felt that this was a modest price to pay given the imperative of the VRU’s desire to lift standards in Premier Division going forward".

Yours faithfully
Ross Oakley
Chief Executive Officer

Have posted this on the Boroondara club page, no response from the board but a few unhappy players with some not so kind words for the VRU

 

[en_force_er]

At the end of the day they need all clubs to be more competetive with the top couple of teams, how they do this is the question. Boroondara had Tom Chamberland play one game with them on their way back from injury which helped. Power House had Adam Frier for a long part of the season, maybe Rebels players should have to play Victorian Club rugby instead of Shute Shield to help improve the quality of rugby. I know Vuna played one game for E Hills against Boroondara.

Premier grade is pretty competitive for 1st through to 7th.

They are probably hoping the top half of the Boroondara players go to another club and focus the talent more sharply.

 

[en_force_er]

Have posted this on the Boroondara club page, no response from the board but a few unhappy players with some not so kind words for the VRU

What's their take on the whole thing? Is it a surprise?

 

[KevinO]

Premier grade is pretty competitive for 1st through to 7th.

They are probably hoping the top half of the Boroondara players go to another club and focus the talent more sharply.

Adam Brynes Sorry

 

[kronic]

The VRU FB page copped it.

 

[KevinO]

What's their take on the whole thing? Is it a surprise?

Very much a surprise, they feel the VRU has treated them harshly. There is no comments from any board members or coachs though. They are either working hard for a Friday or remaining tight lipped. But the fact the rumour has been around for months they really should have addressed the issue earlier.

It's actually a problem that the rugby club has not communicated the issue earlier, even looking at the notes from the AGM, only thing they mention is the board positions for 2013. The AGM was held on a Sunday afternoon which is not really a good time for this type of thing when they should be trying to get some of the young players more envolved in the running of the club.

 

[KevinO]

The VRU FB page copped it.

Just checked it, Scott posted that a few days ago, yet there has been no communication from the club to the players.

 

[elementfreak]

From?

Everyone. Log onto their new page and have a look at the "other comments" and read the top one.

 

[en_force_er]

Seems to me from the Facebook page that the argument put forward is that they should of demoted 2 clubs like suggested.

Surprising to see Box Hill the 2nd from the bottom of the relegation possibilities considering they have a very good junior program (good numbers and okay results) and decent results.

It seems the main contention is that the VRU should of stuck to their 2 club demotion plan, this would of made some degree of sense. I suppose the reality is there's daylight between the top 7 and the bottom 3 of Prems 1st grade. The bottom 3 featured one of the traditionally strongest VRU clubs with a massive network and plenty of cash who simply weren't hitting their targets and the strongest Victorian junior club.

The VRU were between a rock and a hard place and made the most logical decision.

 

[KevinO]

Seems to me from the Facebook page that the argument put forward is that they should of demoted 2 clubs like suggested.

Surprising to see Box Hill the 2nd from the bottom of the relegation possibilities considering they have a very good junior program (good numbers and okay results) and decent results.

It seems the main contention is that the VRU should of stuck to their 2 club demotion plan, this would of made some degree of sense. I suppose the reality is there's daylight between the top 7 and the bottom 3 of Prems 1st grade. The bottom 3 featured one of the traditionally strongest VRU clubs with a massive network and plenty of cash who simply weren't hitting their targets and the strongest Victorian junior club.

The VRU were between a rock and a hard place and made the most logical decision.

The most logical decision is to say to all the clubs that the team(s) that finished bottom at the end of the season will be relegated with the competition being restructured. This way it will stop all the arguements about who goes down when it has clearly been outlined at the start of the season.

They need to strengthen all levels of rugby in this state and should start off by restructuring the system to have a relegation/promotion system like majority of Victoiran sporting competitions have.

I am hoping that this still allows Boroondara to have 3 teams compete, whether it means having the 3rds in Premier 4 I don't know.

I think a Restructure of the whole State should happen something like

Prem 1: 8 Top teams (Bottom 2 get relagated)
Prem2 : 8 Next Teams (Top of the table and grand final winner get promoted, if it is the same side the other finalist goes up)

Pennant 1: 8 Top seconds teams
Pennant 2: 8 next seconds teams and top 3rd teams if strong enough
Shield 1: 8 top thirds teams and strong 4th teams
Shield 2: 8 next thirds teams and 4th and 5th teams (If needed to place two teams from a club due to high numbers its possible)

Clubs will only be allowed 1 prem side, but if clubs like Melbourne can field teams in all the lower grades thats allowed.

Example for weaker clubs in Prem 2 who only have 2 teams, their first would be in Prem 2 with there seconds most likely being competitive in a Shield grade.

A Mid strength Club like Footscray would have Prem 1 with a Pennant and a Shield,

Boroondara would have a Prem and 2 Shield.

Melbourne would have Prem 1 Pennant 1 and 2 and possibly one or two shield teams.

Structure allows for clubs to have a min of 2 teams but can have up to 5 teams depending on club numbers, all grades besides Prem 2 have and Shield 2 have relagation. It evens out the competitive ness of the lower grades so that teams are not getting smacked 100 nil in the 2nds and 3rds and encourages players taking up the game to stick with it as they enjoy matches more.

 

[en_force_er]

The most logical decision is to say to all the clubs that the team(s) that finished bottom at the end of the season will be relegated with the competition being restructured. This way it will stop all the arguements about who goes down when it has clearly been outlined at the start of the season.

They need to strengthen all levels of rugby in this state and should start off by restructuring the system to have a relegation/promotion system like majority of Victoiran sporting competitions have.

I am hoping that this still allows Boroondara to have 3 teams compete, whether it means having the 3rds in Premier 4 I don't know.

I think a Restructure of the whole State should happen something like

Prem 1: 8 Top teams (Bottom 2 get relagated)
Prem2 : 8 Next Teams (Top of the table and grand final winner get promoted, if it is the same side the other finalist goes up)

Pennant 1: 8 Top seconds teams
Pennant 2: 8 next seconds teams and top 3rd teams if strong enough
Shield 1: 8 top thirds teams and strong 4th teams
Shield 2: 8 next thirds teams and 4th and 5th teams (If needed to place two teams from a club due to high numbers its possible)

Clubs will only be allowed 1 prem side, but if clubs like Melbourne can field teams in all the lower grades thats allowed.

Example for weaker clubs in Prem 2 who only have 2 teams, their first would be in Prem 2 with there seconds most likely being competitive in a Shield grade.

A Mid strength Club like Footscray would have Prem 1 with a Pennant and a Shield,

Boroondara would have a Prem and 2 Shield.

Melbourne would have Prem 1 Pennant 1 and 2 and possibly one or two shield teams.

Structure allows for clubs to have a min of 2 teams but can have up to 5 teams depending on club numbers, all grades besides Prem 2 have and Shield 2 have relagation. It evens out the competitive ness of the lower grades so that teams are not getting smacked 100 nil in the 2nds and 3rds and encourages players taking up the game to stick with it as they enjoy matches more.

Too one dimensional mate, a club like Monash or Warrnambool's one team would be about the standard of Boroondara's 3s.

That system works in soccer, footy, and hockey because they have shiteloads of 2 team clubs all with their own grounds. Rugby has very few clubs with lots of teams.

Imagine how Boroondara (who have around 50 blokes available a weekend) would go with their Prem 2 team playing at home at 3:15, their shield teams playing in Frankston and Warnabool both at 1:30. Because believe me, this is what it would look like every 2nd week. Not going to happen mate, the fixturing just wouldn't work.

A more logical system (in my opinion because this is all academic) would be:

• Premier Division (8 teams, 3 grades)
• 2nd Division (6 teams, 2 grades)
• 3rd Division (however many 1 team clubs are left, or if a club like Melbourne has a strong 4ths they can play here)
• 4th Division (Odds and ends teams, like 2nd division's 3rds or Prem divisions 4ths)

 

[kronic]

From what I gather, the reason why Boroondara have been relegated is due to the requirement of clubs to field 4 grades in the premier division.

 

[elementfreak]

From what I gather, the reason why Boroondara have been relegated is due to the requirement of clubs to field 4 grades in the premier division.

That has been a requirement for the last 2 years though...

 

[kronic]

That has been a requirement for the last 2 years though.

Colts don't count. 4 senior teams.

 

[KevinO]

Message from the Club President

It was clear at our meeting with the VRU from the attitude of most and the nature of their questions of us that, it didn't really matter what we said, they wanted us to go down. In the end whatever we do from here, it is still a game of rugby that we all love and players want to play. Let's do whatever we can ro keeP that happening. We will try a few avenues, but we still need players and committee to turn up and be counted. If in the end we have to play a game or two in Geelong or Warnambool, we can still make it fun-a weekend away and new places to see. There are some other things we will try-but in the end what we need most is you the players, supporters and Committee helping remedy this.

 

[en_force_er]

Message from the Club President

It was clear at our meeting with the VRU from the attitude of most and the nature of their questions of us that, it didn't really matter what we said, they wanted us to go down. In the end whatever we do from here, it is still a game of rugby that we all love and players want to play. Let's do whatever we can ro keeP that happening. We will try a few avenues, but we still need players and committee to turn up and be counted. If in the end we have to play a game or two in Geelong or Warnambool, we can still make it fun-a weekend away and new places to see. There are some other things we will try-but in the end what we need most is you the players, supporters and Committee helping remedy this.

Any word on more ambitious players or coaches leaving?

Really, Boroondara have been playing beyond their means in Prems. The only solution is to find a way to extend their 'means' and go from there.

It's pretty inevitable they'll get another crack at Prems it's just a question of going into it better resourced.