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Sydney club rugby has many strengths and adds a great strategic value to Australian Rugby. It also faces several very important issues and opportunities that need to be addressed now and in the near future.
The strengths of club rugby include:
* It’s tribal, and at a time when other codes have abandoned their tribal roots, this is an opportunity.
* Sydney club rugby produces an highly entertaining brand of rugby, fast, open and enjoyable. Just watch West Harbour in action.
* It has good player depth, specifically in the critical positions of 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15
* It has a variety of deeply ingrained playing styles and cultures, further adding to the spectacle and tribalism.
* It currently operates across the greater Sydney area.
* It has proven that it can provide all of the above on very small budgets and through local and volunteer support.
* It has free to air coverage, albeit limited to one game a week.
* Future Super 14 and Wallabies commence their post-school playing careers in Sydney club rugby.
Opportunities include:
* The breaking down of barriers between league and union, and specifically, the influx of players from the league U20 competition once they turn 20.
* The chance to learn from the experiences of other codes
* To be the premier feeder comp for the soon to be expanded and internationalized Super 14
Threats include:
* Selfish management
* The failure to embrace modern operating techniques
Weaknesses:
* A shortage of funds for development and promotion
My Proposal is one of evolution and learning-adapting the fundamentals of business, marketing and sports administration.
Sydney club rugby’s core principle is that it will entertain everyone – sponsors, spectators and players.
So …
1. I propose a repositioning and relaunch of club rugby, similar to that of the English Premier league several years ago.
The relaunch will emphasise the true entertainment and enjoyment for spectators and players alike that comes from local tribalism and fast, open rugby between well-matched teams.
2. Using the A-League model, and to encourage clubs to address their current weaknesses, a “tender” process will offer 12 places in the repositioned comp for entities that can comply with a series of criteria. These will include financial strength, strategic importance, facilities, local support, local player development, Junior comps, and so on.
This “tender” is designed to focus and encourage the current Shute Shield clubs and attract other interested parties rather than create new “tribe free” entities (as happened in the ARC)
3. A mechanism that spreads the players across all clubs. This could include the proposed points system, a player draft, mid season transfer windows, and so on.
Each club will field five grade teams, two colts teams and individual age rep teams.
4. Sydney club rugby will remain an amateur competition in that players will not be paid nor expected to train as professional sportsmen and volunteers will continue to be the lifeblood of the clubs.
5. Each Club will be encouraged to bring in two young, foreign marquee players who fit the criteria for Super 14 selection.
6. Introduce promotion and relegation after three years.
7. Interested clubs can apply for a development grant from the ARU/NSWRU to fund the necessary preparation work required in the “tender” phase.
8. A separate Board of Commissioners will administer the competitions.
In conclusion, note that there is no mention of “third tier” (ala ARC).
This competition is a viable entity in its own right: tribal, entertaining and proudly amateur.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.