2024 Western Australia Schoolboys XV

[Burgs]

There isn't one.

Despite generations of raising community funds and scraping together the necessary support to send previous Squads, RugbyWA has not seen fit to send a WA presence to the 50th Anniversary Tournament.

There is a NSWJRU hosted Barbarians XV which you would assume WA could have nominated players for and could've at least allowed some presence, but looking at the story linked below and, despite Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania managing a player to that team, to my knowledge, none are from WA.

I hear some talk of not meeting RWA's "strategy".
If that is the case, I would suggest the rest of Australia have a different strategy, as literally every other catchment has a presence.

https://schoolsrugby.com.au/boys-xvs-team-lists/

[wjm]

There isn't one.

Despite generations of raising community funds and scraping together the necessary support to send previous Squads, RugbyWA has not seen fit to send a WA presence to the 50th Anniversary Tournament.

There is a NSWJRU hosted Barbarians XV which you would assume WA could have nominated players for and could've at least allowed some presence, but looking at the story linked below and, despite Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania managing a player to that team, to my knowledge, none are from WA.

I hear some talk of not meeting RWA's "strategy".
If that is the case, I would suggest the rest of Australia have a different strategy, as literally every other catchment has a presence.

https://schoolsrugby.com.au/boys-xvs-team-lists/

The answer to your question is simply answered by one world “RUGBYWA”

[fulvio sammut]

I'm strongly opposed to this constant RugbyWA bashing.

[andrewg]

This matter has been well covered in previous years.
The Schoolboys competition is run outside the program that is run through RAu and the State Unions which has a focus on the U16 and U19 national competitions. These lead to representing Australia in the U20 competition.

The WF and RugbyWA has just completed the promoting rugby competition for secondary school boys and girls between 13 schools across the metropolitan area - playing for the UWA Western Force Cups. These boys and girls involved are free to play for the local clubs if they are attracted to rugby union. Most of the school teams included players who already are.

Like other school trips, if players want to be involved then the fund raising for involvement is usually up the the students and parents.
As I understand it, in the Private Schools, if students play the school then they are unable to play club rugby because the private schools play on Saturday as well. Hence the Secondary School focus.

Although I understand that the schoolboy competition may have been established before the U16 and U19 programmes it's now been superseded. To have this issue raised each year is tiresome.

It also has NOTHING to do with the Western Force which for me is what TWF (The Western Force Supporters Site) is all about.

[westies man]

Since you seem to have all the answers perhaps you can tell us the reasoning behind about why there is no Perth Gold squad this season or has that been superseded as well, apologies if this post does not meet the criteria to be allowed to post on The Western Force Supporters Site

[andrewg]

Since you seem to have all the answers perhaps you can tell us the reasoning behind about why there is no Perth Gold squad this season or has that been superseded as well, apologies if this post does not meet the criteria to be allowed to post on The Western Force Supporters Site

I certainly DO NOT have all of the answers............

Perhaps you can advise what competition Perth Gold would play in. Against which other teams?

The game is serious trouble with some teams, some State Unions and RAu experiencing financial difficulties.

[jargan83]

It also has NOTHING to do with the Western Force which for me is what TWF (The Western Force Supporters Site) is all about.

There are literally three sub-forums on this website dedicated to this kind of thing. If you don't like it maybe steer clear of the WA Metro Rugby sub-forum, WA Country Rugby sub-forum and the WA School Boys sub-forum.

[andrewg]

Good advice Jargon83.

[brokendown gunfighter]

I'm strongly opposed to this constant RugbyWA bashing.

i'm sure you are!,lol

[fulvio sammut]

Now, now, Gunny.

[shasta]

i'm sure you are!,lol

Aren't you supposed to be off somewhere playing golf or drinking Leo's or something?

[Burgs]

1. WA historically

WAJRU U14 XV
WASRU U15 XV
WAJRU U16 XV
WASRU Open Schoolboys XV

This gave a continuous transition through the ages as different boys were at different stages of growth, without any extensive jumps in size. Tours were largely player family funded through raffles and lamington drives and the touring party were billeted out to destination host families.

2. Every other State/Province has managed to have a presence at the Tournament to celebrate the 50th year, with NSW (NSW I, NSW II & NSWJRU Clubs XV), Qld (2), ACT (1), Victoria (1) and a Combined States-Barbarians XV hosted by NSWJRU.

3. The UWA Western Force Cup, as the name suggests, is sponsored by UWA and coordinated by the Force.
https://westernforce.rugby/news/west...tition-2022711

4. The most dominate Schoolboys School in WA at the moment is Aranmore, who are outside of the PSA. They absolutely dominate the UWA Western Force Cup, with other non-PSA Schools actively trying to avoid playing them. Admission into the PSA system would be an advantage to WA Rugby, but highly political to achieve with the existing seven members.
The PSA currently has a wide range of skills and depth.
This year I have seen each 1st XV at least once.
Scoth and Hale are on a par and will have a cracking final round for the Cup in a few weeks.
Trinity, who have been strong since the early 90's have fallen away to be third ranked, with Aquinas next in talent.
Guildford and Wesley have some good players, but are not up to the long term standard of PSA Rugby.
Christchurch are battling for numbers and I hear rumour they may have, or are about to, forfeit the1st XV season.

5. The current WA Youth Rep Situation

U15 Boys
WARU North XV
WARU Central XV
WARU South XV

U16 Boys
WARU North XV
WARU Central XV
WARU South XV
Western Force U16 XV

U16 Girls
WARU Black XV
WARU Gold XV

U18 Girls
WARU Black XV
WARU Gold XV

U19 Boys
Western Force U19 XV

6. The NSW Youth Rep Situation

U12 Boys
NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) 1st XV

U12 Girls
PSSA 7s

U14 Boys
Sydney Junior RU (SJRU) Blue XV
SJRU Red XV
SJRU Sydney XV
NSW Country RU (NSWCRU) XV

U14 Girls
SJRU Blue XV
SJRU Red XV
SJRU Sydney XV
NSWCRU XV

U15 Boys
SJRU Blue XV
SJRU Red XV
SJRU Barbarians XV
SJRU Sydney XV
NSWCRU XV
Waratahs U15 XV

U16 Boys
Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) 1st XV
Associated Schools of NSW Inc (CAS) 1st XV
NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) 1st XV
Combined High Schools (CHS) 1st XV XV
Great Public Schools of NSW (GPS) Presidents A XV
GPS Presidents B XV
Independent Schools Association (ISA) Black XV
ISA Gold XV
SJRU Blue XV
SJRU Red XV
SJRU Sydney XV
NSWCRU XV
NSWJRU Presidents XV
NSW Schools I XV
NSW Schools II XV
Waratahs U16 XV

U16 Girls
ISA 7s
SJRU Blue XV
SJRU Red XV
SJRU Sydney XV
NSWCRU XV

Open Boys
AICES 1st XV
CAS 1st XV
CAS 2nd XV
NSWCCC 1st XV
CHS 1st XV
CHS 2nd XV
GPS 1st XV
GPS 2nd XV
GPS Blue XV
GPS White XV
ISA 1st XV
ISA 2nd XV
SJRU Sydney XV
SJRU Sydney Shadows XV
NSWCRU
Waratahs U18
NSW Schools I XV
NSW Schools II XV
NSW Juniors XV
NSWJRU Barbarians XV

U18 Girls
ISA 7s
SJRU Sydney XV
NSWCRU XV
NSW All Schools XV

6. Brisbane/Queensland have a little bit different system, but similar numbers of Rep Teams competing

7. While Western Australia obviously doesn't have the same numbers of players available, to somehow suggest that less playing opportunities with bigger age gaps in pathways is "progressive", while the Heartland States have it wrong is bizarre.

8. I personally know of several (and anecdotally of approximately twenty) of our best Juniors having left the State or imminent, both Interstate and International, to pursue offered opportunities that are non-existent or personally blocked to them here in WA.

9. Sources tell me that RWA take action and view very dimly any proactive work by anyone other than RWA around inbound and away Tours, while such opportunities are on offer to organise rapidly.

10. Developing future local players for higher honours is core business for RWA, amongst other KPI's, and by extension these development pathways and seeking best practice around that is absolutely one of the many fields of discussion for this forum.

[Burgs]

Meanwhile, another where WA aren't attending either...

Excitement building for Southern States Junior Championship in Adelaide

Thu, Jul 4, 2024, 12:30 PM
TAS Rugby


Tassie’s most promising rugby talents are eyeing national glory at next week’s junior championships in Adelaide.

The Tasmanian Rugby Union (TRU) will field four sides (under 14 boys, under 16 girls, under 16 boys, under 18 boys) at the Southern States tournament with a selection of under 18 girls also named in Rugby Australia’s invitational squad.

After a strong start to the statewide junior competition, TRU competitions manager Nick Marshall is excited to see Tassie’s best youngsters don the green and gold.

“We’re really pleased with the start to our 2024 competition. It’s been a great lead-in to representative rugby,” Marshall said.

“Southern States will pit our juniors against the some of the best rugby players across the country. It’s going to be a tough task but we think they’re up for the challenge.”

Each Tasmanian side will tackle Victoria, South Australia and Northern Territory in a round-robin format before a final play-off fixture.

Meanwhile the girls named in Rugby Australia’s under 18 Barbarians side face a challenging two-day block with four games against hosts South Australia.

“It’s a great time for rugby at the moment with the Wallabies, Wallaroos and Olympic Sevens teams all in action,” Marshall said.

“We’re hoping a taste of representative rugby will inspire these young players to make their own memories in green and gold, whether that’s for Tassie or higher honours down the line.”

The Southern States tournament kicks off in Adelaide on Tuesday 9 July and runs through to Friday July 12.