Just give me a minute before you finish assembling the lynch mob and let me at least explain my position. Please, just look away from your pitch forks and torches for a moment and just read the following and see what you think.
I like many over recent times have lamented the apparent lack of grassroots development through clubs and schools, particularly in the public sector.
I have called for action alongside many before me and since and have expounded the virtues of the need to get the game into more and more schools as the best possible pathway to reaching the greater number of children.
I still believe this to be the case but not necessarily the option with the highest likelihood of success in the short to medium term.
Why? Why the change in perspective?
To answer, from recent experience. The biggest issue with school sports today particularly at the primary level is the rapid transformation of the teaching demographic.
Only 15 years ago the split of male to female teachers was comparatively even, however, since my time in primary school that situation has dramatically altered to one of a sector dominated by women.
This had corresponded with the decline of PSSA sporting competition in favour of Gala Days (not blaming women for this) and the decline of most contact sports as organised competitions at that level.
This has to an extent been reflected in secondary education to a large extent with many formerly great schools competition struggling to organise competitive schedules.
But, there is one sector where this isn’t the case. Most if not all Catholic and Independent schools participate in highly organised and well endorsed schools sporting competitions.
And it is this level of organisation rugby should be endeavouring to tap into its attempts to further expand its playing base.
I know, I know, it’s been the old ‘private schools’ elitist catchcry that many attribute to rugby’s position as a relatively niche sport at this level and that the likes of GPS that have done more damage to the game than good.
However, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. I have recently begun coaching and more or less educating a group of 13-year-olds in the game at my old and my brother’s current school in St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown.
The program is effectively in its 10th season at the school but only really beginning to take it seriously in the past few seasons.
When the game first arrived in was very ad hoc, not for the lack of effort from those organising it but just the general nature of the school. It was a primarily boarder sport with only a few day students (myself included) involved.
This year things are different. With around 200 boys involved in the program (that’s one in every five students at the college) things have certainly grown and it’s been fantastic to witness. But how does one person’s opinion change things.
Well, here’s a statistic for you, right from the files of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
As of this year 35 percent (roughly 1.2 million) of all students currently in the primary and secondary education sectors are being educated in private schools.
Additionally, in accordance with the findings of the ABS, it is the fastest growing trend in education. So, why would private be preferable to public to achieve rugby’s short to medium term goals?
Well, the obvious answer is growth but the other is resources and more importantly, teachers.
Coaching and administering such competitions take a great deal of time and effort. Time and effort that more often than not involves little to no remuneration for them.
In an increasingly busy world that makes the prospect of dedicating more resources of the individual more of a daunting task.
Add to that, that many choose not to and you can begin to see the issues.
This is were private schools differ, staff are often more invested with the school.
That comes with the higher levels of income that accompanies their employment in the sector. And it’s this heightened level of investment that rugby should look to foster a relationship with.
The basic building blocks are already in place. Look to the likes of the ISA who this season will be operating a third division in its rugby schedules for the first time.
Rugby could engage this sector to a greater extent and work on getting rugby in as one of the primary sports. There are many ambitious private schools looking toward adding a forgive the expression ‘prestige’ sport.
Rugby can fill that gap.
Wouldn’t it be better to have the game entrenched as the sport of choice in the growth sector in education reaching many, many more children than none at all?
Essentially, we should look to what is a strength often perceived as a weakness.
I know what many will be thinking, ‘this guy has rocks in his head’ or ‘what elitist rubbish’.
But I’ll put this to you. I’m from a blue-collar area, as are most private school students.
Private schooling is not longer elitist. It’s aspirational. Parents looking to provide the best educational opportunities for their children and its growing and rapidly at that.
Why fight it?
Tim
Guest
remember the grand days of Australian rugby - played by club teams with coaches that played the game. This is still the case in new Zealand but not in Australia When I signed my kids up to play as fourth generation - I saw parents training kids with no experience except two years at a private school compulsory rugby? One or two players tackled for the entire team who passed the ball to the fastest runner - no team spirit in sight I saw extra players placed on the field so they could win - which was the main agenda. I swapped my kids to afl and the difference is amazing - coaches that played the sport and love the game. I sat in a meeting where the chairman of a rugby club wanted to be the biggest club in Sydney? No mention of the kids or The love of the game and this iSync rugby will fail in the long run as kids will go to other codes. I hope the private Kids can fill the gaps
Richard
Guest
As an ex rugby tragic who played the game at a private school whilst growing up, who played for years upon leaving school and who has watched test matches in most rugby playing countries, I tend to look at this a little differently. Keeping suburban clubs healthy and promoting the grassroots is the key. Getting crowds into grade matches means kids who leave school will continue to play and go and watch tests and super 12. I mention ex rugby tragic because unfortunately I now follow AFL more closely than I do rugby because frankly it is a better game to watch and the ball is in play for longer than a test or super 12 or 14 or whatever it is. Week in and week out it is way more interesting. Shame as I used to love going to Cardiff, lansdowne road, twickenham, Sydney or wellington stadium wherever. Now, most Friday nights I can go to the MCG with 60000 others and watch a brilliant match. Simplify the rules of rugby, keep the ball in play longer, bring back sweeping back lines movements and quit excessive kicking and hopefully the excitement of having a beer and talking rugby. At a local pub before walking to the ground will return for me. I hope so.
Bakkies
Guest
Players that continue to play the game also go to the same club as their mates and/or brothers.
Bakkies
Guest
Re importing players. Druid you will be interested in this article of the Irish Examiner. Monday, April 22, 2013 By Cian Treacy The argument for Declan English, who is part of the Munster and Irish schools committee, is also head of rugby at Castletroy College — the school which originally proposed this new rule. The rule would mean that in order to be eligible to play in the competition, ‘players must be in their second year at the school to play in this competition unless permitted otherwise by the Age Grade Committee’. And he was eager to make it clear from the outset that the Munster committee have in no way acted wrongly in posing this motion. “We are conducting our business as it should be. Like any democratic organisation, each school will have a vote and their say. Obviously the rule won’t suit all schools but it will most certainly benefit Munster schools rugby in the future.” English says during his involvement with schools rugby over the past number of years, he has seen a growing number of young kids quitting the sport. “The smaller schools cannot survive as a result of these alleged recruitment drives from schools around Munster. This has resulted in plenty of students walking away from the game at an early age because their schools simply cannot field a team. Munster is expanding while schools rugby is contracting.” He goes on to say that students who have been enrolled in schools since first year are constantly losing out to the fresh faces that are introduced late in the senior cycle. “I have a major issue with the way many disenfranchised parents and kids are currently being treated. We are continuously seeing new students being drafted into schools while a student who has been in the school and worked his way up, is told ‘sorry you can’t play — we’ve got someone else to join the school.’ It’s completely wrong.” He argues that the smaller schools are putting just as much time and effort into the game but cannot compete with the larger schools who have more resources. English admits that the ideas behind the rule have been greatly misunderstood in some quarters and strongly states: “There is a great misconception that we are trying to stop students playing Senior Cup rugby. This is not the case at all. There will be special commissions made for students with differing circumstances. It is important that people know that if the ruling does come in, it will not deny a student from moving schools.” He firmly denied that kids from disadvantaged areas would be affected by the new rule and clarifies that every student will be given an opportunity to have his case heard by committee. “If a student from a regeneration area in Limerick is looking to move school, I don’t see there being any problem in that. Any student that moves school and hasn’t been enrolled for over a full school year will go through the appeals process and will be dealt with accordingly.” He also points to the struggling club game at U19 level in Munster, which he says is a direct result from schools players walking away from the game. He states that if this rule is introduced, it would keep all students involved in the game while he also says developments have been made to introduce more ‘B’ competitions at all schools levels. “There are seconds teams in most schools. We are working to keep everyone involved. If a player moves schools and hasn’t been enrolled for over a schools year, there is no problem in him playing in the Barry Cup — which has been reconstructed this year to make it a more attractive competition. We have also introduced new first and second year competitions in the hope of expanding the game.” Mr English firmly believes that the proposed rule will greatly benefit both Munster schools and Munster rugby — he has little doubt that it will be passed at next month’s AGM. “It’s been unanimously approved at Branch level with seemingly three schools still against it. As far as I’m concerned the rule will be put in place after next month’s AGM.” The argument against One school that are strongly against the proposed motion is Limerick’s, St Munchin’s College. Their principal Dave Quilter spoke about his anger at how the rule was first brought to light. “We are very annoyed at the way the proposed rule was parachuted in last summer when schools were closed down. We had no input into it and the Munster schools certainly didn’t meet about it.” Quilter argues that the ban would effectively deny parents their “constitutional right to decide where their son is educated.” Plenty of his anger is aimed at the Munster Age Grade Committee whom he feels failed to provide adequate support and guidance before the motion was put forward. “We were very disappointed with how they went about it. It was under-handed and there was a serious lack of communication on their part. It took us months to get a meeting with the Munster Branch to give our point of view. While it also just so happens that the two representatives on the Age Grade Committee are from one side of the delegation.” The rule would allow some students to be exempt but he feels the Munster Branch are in no position to judge who should and shouldn’t be made an exception. “Who are the Munster Branch to tell us that one student deserves to play rugby and another doesn’t? There is no expert there who is qualified to judge who can’t play schools rugby. The whole rule is totally unworkable.” He also feels that should the rule be passed by the Branch, it would seriously harm the future of rugby in this country. “No matter which way you look at it (the rule), it is to the detriment of Munster and Irish rugby. There are a number of players on both current sides who didn’t start their education in A schools which meant they had to move to play rugby.” One such player is Munster and Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan. Ryan, who moved from Nenagh CBS to St Munchins College in sixth year back in 2001, says that if the rule is introduced, Munster would miss out on plenty of country based players. “From my experience, rugby players from the country are late developers — both physically andmentally. I think the rule would mean that Munster would miss out on these guys.” He spoke about how he would have been denied the opportunity to play rugby had this rule been in place during his school days. “I moved schools because I was overage for the Munster Youths and Nenagh didn’t have an U20s team. You get more games in schools rugby, at least twice a week so in that sense it was hugely beneficial in getting me where I am today.” Mr Quilter echoed Ryan’s sentiments by noting only one club in Limerick has an U19 team and argues; “that if a student is denied playing Senior Cup rugby, he really has no rugby to play at all.” Tony Smith, who was recently elected chairman of the Munster Schools Committee, has also voiced his opinion against the rule. Mr Smith feels that Munster is small enough without putting limits on schools players. He points to the recent Irish U18s squad that travelled to France and the fact that just two of the 26 players were from Munster schools. Quilter firmly believes that schools are acting under double-standards and feels that you cannot have one rule for rugby and a different rule for other sports. “There are certain schools who are supporting this ban, yet are actively involved in encouraging students to join their school to play Harty Cup hurling. It’s completely hypocritical.” He is adamant that the rule would stop his school from helping students from Limerick’s regeneration areas. “It’s not as simple as saying ‘school is just for education’. We have to strike the right balance and that is our main aim. One particular student who was expelled from another school in Limerick, joined us and he most certainly would have not survived two years of the senior cycle without having the distraction of rugby. He has since made the Munster U19s squad.”
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
'Aspirational' has nothing to do with "keeping up with the Jones' ". It actually refers to the ever growing class of people who are looking to provide not only themselves a better lifestyle but in relation to the article greater educational opportunities for their children. I agree that maintaining a small closed network of private schools (some 30 odd in NSW) is detrimental. However, what I'm advocating is a massive expansion within that bracket. According to 2010 figures, there are at least 449 private schools in NSW alone. People appear to have this ingrained perception regarding the stereotypical "private school" student and their socioeconomic backgrounds. It's a perception that is redundant in every respect. I attended a private school (read the article and you'll find out which one) yet come from a very much middle class working family. That's where the majority of private school student emanate from, in fact the only difference between many of them and those who go to public schools is the fact that there parents choose to pay for their education while other's either don't or cannot afford to. Expanding within the private system expands Rugby's demographic.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
" I think promoting Rugby to this sector is a good thing, but you also need the ensure club Rugby remains strong otherwise Rugby is on a very slippery slope." You'd find that I agree with you almost entirely. It would be up to the schools as to which model works best for them be it competing on their scheduled sports day's or playing on Saturday's. Either way, local clubs would need to be recruited into the fold to help provide access to fields and such as well as provide kids with pathways by promoting their presence within these schools. This would hopefully translate into either kids playing for those clubs on the weekend's (if school elect to compete during the week) or after they finish school.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
You do realise that 40% equates to something between 1.8 to 2 million students? It's not that small of a pond. If you read my article, I don't advocate the abandonment of the public sector either. I actually suggest that 7s would be the most ideal format in which to approach that sector. The big issue within the public sector today tends to lean toward the degree of funding needed to provide the necessary educational outcomes let alone using monies that could be used to that effect on sporting competitions. Sevens tournament structure tends to overcome this by allowing for schools to potentially compete in multiple events at a lower level of expense. We are talking about identifying opportunities within growth sectors, particularly one sector that is likely to continue to expand. It would be crazy to ignore. Some projections have Private schools achieving parity with public schools in number within 20 years. It's not a small pond anymore and won't be in future. Additionally, we unfortunately have very limited resources to direct toward development. Because of this we need to be very direct in our choice of development opportunities. You may not like it but by concentrating our efforts in the short to medium term, we could see benefits long term which would allow us to up our efforts in other sectors.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
The point is Mr WC Rugger, is that for any sport to truly flourish widely is for it to be accessible to all not just to some no matter how 'aspirational'(a new word for 'keeping up with the Jones's'), it is BECAUSE OF THE Private Schools that Rugby continues to struggle and lose money and depend on the more egalitarian Rugby League to provide talent for it's ranks -it's becoming more and more of a joke while very other sport this country and abroad are widening their reach Rugby in this country is happy with the in-bred nature of it's demographic .
Druid
Roar Rookie
I still think it is a two pronged strategy that needs to be adopted. Many here say the 1st XV at many schools are imported and the strong players get offered scholarships. All well and good but is club Rugby gets too weak due to lack of interest then where do the Private Schools poach these players from? If players are only ever exposed to League due to no clubs in their area then the GPS schools will simply not get them. The overall GPS quality will drop significantly if they have to rely solely on the kids that started at those schools in Yr 7. Anyway, the intent of WCR's article was not just based on GPS, but the entire independent schools sector (most of which would not/could not offer scholarships). I think promoting Rugby to this sector is a good thing, but you also need the ensure club Rugby remains strong otherwise Rugby is on a very slippery slope.
Rob9
Guest
I'm not too familiar with the intricacies of Sydney's club rugby structure these days, but as I say, there's a strong history of certain rugby schools feeding certain rugby clubs colts grades and then into seniors. The list goes on, BBC and Wests, TSS and Breakers, even strong non-GPS rugby schools like Marist Bro. Ashgrove ironically feeding GPS Rugby Club. In metro Brisbane, there isn't the subbies culture that exists in Sydney. If you're playing senior rugby (regardless of what level), there are very few options (if any) outside of playing with a club that has a Premier Rugby team.
GWS
Guest
Garbage. 40% in a decade. How bout the 60%+ now? Affordable for most? 40% you said. In a decade. So rugby has ten years to work at getting up to 40%? Wow. Why not work hard now on the 60%+? Rugby likes the small pond.
GWS
Guest
There are plenty of talented kids outside of gps being lost to rugby. These schools can't or won't hand out scholarships to all. Some kids simply don't want to be away from family. Rugby is keeping a small pond intentionally
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Rugby League uses school as a development pathway as well. A good number of them are private school's too. I know as I attended one of them. The whole "educated man's game" has nothing to do with it. It's about maximising potential reach using an established pathway. A pathway that is no longer the bastion of a few but of an ever growing aspirational class. Within a decade around 40% of all students will be enrolled in private school that's roughly 2 million children. It's a sector that you cannot ignore and one that is very achievable for most people.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Rob9, Doesn't necessarily need to be linked with grade clubs either. There are plenty of subbies clubs out there which would certainly love to accommodate them. There's an interesting trend developing at that level in Sydney with many former grade player's turning up in subbies clubs signalling a new found sense of semi-professionalism that appears to be emerging.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
The Brisbane GPS is going down the US college path. Lots of scholarships make up all of the first 15s. It's easily the best schoolboy comp in the country and doesn't has less rich white boys then ever these days, if that's what you mean.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Rugby Union is the "Educated Man's Game". If we all played league we would naturally be Simpletons ... rap-dancing with Digby Ioane in some god forsaken alleyway in a frightful suburb. Low council rates but extortionate Insurance premiums
Rob9
Guest
'Links between schools and clubs are vital' To an extent these links already exist in Queensland. If you went to Nudgee and you want to keep playing rugby post high school, chances are you'll play for Brothers. Went to Churchie play for Easts, BSHS head to Souths etc.
Bakkies
Guest
I agree with WCR. The game also has to further develop in its strong areas. Links between schools and clubs are vitals. Players drop out of the game when they finish school rather then join a club as a proper adult. It also needs a tv deal. Schools Rugby gets televised in Ireland, NZ, SA and to some extent in England. Go on to youtube and there is already footage of GPS Rugby why not put it on the tv. It might get more viewers then the Shute Shield. In Ireland particularly Munster where there isn't a huge amount of schools in the Schools Cup they are voting on a policy where a kid who has moved schools isn't allowed to play for their new school until their second year there. This is cracking down on poaching where the strong schools like Rockwell College have brought kids in from outside the school to boost their Rugby sides. Kids who have moved schools for non Rugby reasons (academic, parents relocating, etc) will obviously get dispensation. A policy like this in Australia will change the spectrum of schools Rugby completely and become more competitive. Expect it to get knocked down by the big boys.
Crazy Horse
Guest
In Perth the Premier Grade Clubs have teams from under 6 right through as do many of the Championship Grade Clubs. It's only the clubs in the better off areas that often can't field 15 & 16s. The PSA, Perth's equvalent of your GPS, really is a sideshow. Their 1st XVs would stand no chance against the top under 16 club sides. The best of them was recently beaten by a side from an ordinary catholic school, not a member of the PSA.
Johnno
Guest
Merging CAS/GPS/ISA , for mine is the best way to develop. And Also Zone the divisions. If not just have ZOned conferences then play off for a ISA Waratah shield type Trophy. ISA is the best name out of CAS/GPS, it's the most modern and accessible to a broader audience in Sydney. And a TV deal would be good too.