Canberra’s most talented young rugby league players have been banned from competing in the NSWRL’s junior representative competitions after the Raiders failed to enter a team in the NSW Cup in 2011.
Canberra’s SG Ball (under-18) and Harold Matthews (under-16) sides have been left high and dry by the decision, with the NSWRL getting tough after years of watching the Raiders filter players not in their NRL game-day squad back into the Queensland Cup competition.
The Raiders, along with Manly, have both had associations with Queensland Cup sides for a number of years, with the cost of maintaining a NSW Cup the main reason behind the move.
But having become sick of helping develop players only to see them boost the Queensland Cup competition, the NSWRL issued an ultimatum to both Canberra and the Sea Eagles to join the NSW Cup or risk having their junior programs blocked.
Manly have heeded the order and will play in next year’s NSW Cup, but the Raiders – who pulled out of a deal to send their players to play with St George Illawarra’s NSW Cup affiliate Shellharbour – will maintain their link with Souths Logan outside Brisbane.
The result is that the Raiders’ SG Ball side will now be forced to play in Canberra’s local open-age competition, whilst their Harold Matthews side will cease to exist save for a few carnival trips to Queensland.
“It is just impractical for us to develop junior players only to have them strengthen competitions interstate,” NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr said in a statement.
“We don’t want to see anyone miss out on football but clubs have to commit to a strong game-wide structure that will improve development across the state rather than focus on short term financial savings that weaken the game’s structure.
“Manly were faced with the same decision and ultimately felt that our junior programs were worth supporting.
“We have received countless correspondence from clubs supporting our stance and they have all stressed the importance of a direct pathway for junior development through to open age football in the state of NSW.”
Raiders officials were unavailable for comment.
The new rules could also have a direct impact on the Raiders’ depth in 2011, with players given dual registration with both Canberra and Souths Logan to be blocked from returning to the Raiders after June 30.
Gary Magpie
Roar Guru
It shows how Geoff Carr was such an impediment to the ARL's performance, too. He represents the mindset that has seen the NRL fail to meet its potential - and rugby league fail to meet its potential at the grass roots level.
Parkridge Panther
Guest
Another Geoff Carr disaster. What an incompetant administrator he is. NSWRL stiil does not have a state league or one body running the gamme in NSW. He is an impedmant to the progress of the game in NSW.
Teaman
Guest
I could only laugh when I read this article. In an age when the major football codes are fighting for talented juniors the NSWRL decide to ban Canberra Raiders juniors from playing in their representative competition. The main reason Canberra is aligned with the Souths Logan Magpies is the standard of the Q Cup is so much higher than the NSW Cup and better supported. I can just imagine how disillusioned these young Canberra players must be at the moment who have been in preseason training. Wait what is that knock on the door? Oh its the Brumbies....come on boys come over and train with us we will let you play
Jimmy The Jet
Guest
I say good on the NSWRL for having the guts to (finally) go through with this. If the clubs can't be bothered to hook up a feeder team deal or play a NSW Cup team, then they have to suffer the consequences. It's not a snap decision by the NSWRL either, both Manly and Canberra have had plenty of time to find a solution.
Col the Bear
Guest
I believe shellharbour arent the dragons NSW cup side this year.. unless thats changed in the last couple of weeks.
Ticker
Guest
They were, but the arrangement was financially unviable. This is a poor decision from the NSWRL. They claim that NSW juniors were being used to strengthen QLD competitions, but they're now cutting off their nose to spite their face as a lot of these talented youngsters will likely be lost to the code for good. The Raiders pursued the link with Goulburn in a genuine attempt to conform, but were given no assistance whatsoever by the NSWRL, who's only suggestion was to enter a 'joint venture' with the Dragons at Shellharbour...great. I find it inconceivable that a club with one of the best junior nurseries in the game can be simply removed from a system which develops young NSW juniors into potential NSW Origin stars! This is a spiteful move from Geoff Carr and the NSWRL, and further evidence of appalling leadership that will hopefully be eradicated with the inception of the IC.
Col the Bear
Guest
surprised the NSWRL actually went through with this..I thought Canberra were looking at linking up with Goulburn.