Rugby Union still alive in Western Sydney
Roar Pro
By westy, 11 Feb 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Japanese rugby, Rugby Union
Whilst the media spotlights AFL in Blacktown, there continues to be a strategy to reinforce rugby union in State High schools in the area.
Part of this strategy is the continuing direct affirmative action to send the first XV of selected state high schools in Western Sydney as the representative of Australian schools to the Sanix Rugby Tournament in Japan.
The invitation comes from the President of the JRU and former Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori.
The invited school to represent Australian schools in early May this year is Hills Sport High School at 56 Best Road Seven Hills (the next railway station is, of course, Blacktown).
In 2007, Westfields High School was selected. In 2009, Prarievale High school. It would be easy for the ARU/NSWRU/QRU to just send GPS or Associated School winners but they have stuck with a strategy and all power to them.
The payback is not now but a decade from now.
These things are cumulative in nature and the building blocks to a strong rugby culture. The next step is to retain these players.
The tour is about more than just sport. It is the chance to obtain social and educational opportunities that may not otherwise available be to these young men. Someone at ARU and NSWRU is holding the line and they deserve acknowledgement.
Hills Sport High school is running a golf day for the team at Fox Hills Golf Club on Friday morning, 26th February ($75 a head, including a day’s play, breakfast and buffet lunch, and a guest speaker from the NSWRU).
The school is seeking donations of sporting memorabilia or goods for auction. You can contact the coordinator of the tour, Robert Hawkes, on 0425 288481. Give it your support with action not words.
Even hopeless golfers like me will be there.
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- Explore:
- Japanese rugby, Rugby Union
rugbyfuture said | February 11th 2010 @ 2:09am | Report comment
It’s good to see such things, but as you said, more emphasis must be placed on developing a Rugby culture beyond anything at these schools, and recreate the enthusiasm im sure these schools would have in the years they participate, in the years they don’t.
Siva Samoa said | February 11th 2010 @ 5:55am | Report comment
Maybe the queensland and and nsw states schools should be represent with their own representive team in the national school championship.
RickG said | February 11th 2010 @ 7:14am | Report comment
A little off topic, but can anyone confirm that the two blues have actually relocated to the Hills district as per the rumours last year? I’ve checked the website and there’s nothing to confirm, but it appears trainign has been happening in the area so far this off-season.
As an interested observer i think this would be a good thing for the game in the region and place the game in a real growth area of (north) western Sydney. Plus Campo will be backs’ coach so it’ll be interesting to see how that pans out.
GM said | February 11th 2010 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Rick G,
Yes they are looking at playing out there with discussions with grounds still ongoing with Council. They are trying to get Castle Hill Showground, but it needs a bit of work to get up to speed. Training has commenced at the showground.
Bay35Pablo said | February 12th 2010 @ 11:42am | Report comment
good for the Hills, bad for Parra.
Brett McKay said | February 11th 2010 @ 8:15am | Report comment
and well played to you Westy, hope it’s a successful day and event..
Matt S said | February 11th 2010 @ 8:28am | Report comment
good to see money buying off schools.
Sam said | February 11th 2010 @ 10:27am | Report comment
I’m sure those kids that are going to Japan feel exactly the same way – their parents must be very upset.
Working Class Rugger said | February 11th 2010 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Matt S
Go take a long walk. Giving these kids an opportunity to see and country and culture while meeting their peers from a number of other nations is by no means buying off school. What a deadbeat comment. Really.
Bay35Pablo said | February 12th 2010 @ 11:43am | Report comment
What a pity trolls on the Roar aren’t like those in the Hobbit, and turn to stone in daylight …
cookie said | February 11th 2010 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Is the reason why the ARU has not even said boo lately in regards to the media beat up over the new AFL team because they don’t have any intention of doing anything to help grassroots? I mean they would look stupid if they said something….
League is bending over backwards to win over fans etc whereas Rugby only wants to know how much they can bleed out of you for a test match or super game.
Bloody pathetic
Jay said | February 11th 2010 @ 8:37am | Report comment
Western Sydney needed the Rams. Melbourne Rebels was a commercial decision – though the way they have got their act together, you cant help but applaud them.
GM said | February 11th 2010 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Western Sydney is a real concern for people at grass roots level. The amount of funds being put into development and recruiting by AFL, NRL and Soccer is driving kids away from playing rugby. Junior clubs in western sydney have declining participation rates since the WC 2003. This will be even more evident when AFL enter the fold with Soccer and NRL matching their investment. Just for an example I believe AFL have up to 10 development officers for western sydney. This compares with 1.5 from the ARU. This area covers from Cambelltown through Penrith and to Parramatta. Kids in schools in the western part of sydney have been introduced to the kick program by afl. With each kid receiving a footy, bag and drink bottle.
Add onto the fact the type of rugby being played at the moment by the professionals and perceived lack of progression through the ranks to being a wallaby, Rugby is and will continue to be the fourth most popular code west of Concord.
Midfielder said | February 11th 2010 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Matt S Hills Sports High School has strong football and rugby league teams as well. It is not buying anyone it is siimply providing opportunity.This is not a wealthy area and I have little problem with providing anyone with opportunity.
King of the Gorganites said | February 11th 2010 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
good article westy. its something alot of RL and afl fans have overlooked in their discussions about the west. RU has always, and will continue to have a large presence in western sydney, considering the about of islanders/polynesians in the suburbs.
there are asignificant about of subby rugby clubs in western sydney. however, unforunately the pathetic excuses of administrators at the NSW suburban RU fail to nuture and support western sydney subby rugby. there is still a focus on the established first division clubs that scatter the eastern suburbs and north shore.
the fact the the waratahs have been duds for the last couple of years lead to people not going to the games, which lead to a drop in revenue, which mean the nswru had no money which meant the suburban NSWRU has no money, which means they care little about what happens to the subby clubs in the west. sad but true.
simon said | February 12th 2010 @ 9:44am | Report comment
Good to read your article Westy. It had a nice, upbeat, feel. You should write them more often!
I believe the national u16 championship is a good model. It includes the Sydney Juniors (club players) plus a NSW schools team (non-club players but mostly private schools), NSW country, two Qld teams, ACT, WA, and now Vic.
Div 2 includes a team from NT, SA, Tas, and a National Indigenous team. From memory, the National Indigenous team usually win div 2.
It would be good to see a few more boys from the state schools in the NSW schools team. But would I be correct in thinking that the best state school players are in club teams and aligned with Sydney juniors?
In any case, the state schools out west need more regular games against the private schools.
Working Class Rugger said | February 12th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Simon
Maybe its about time a Western Sydney team ( be it schools or clubs) are given a run in the Division 2 Championship.