Rockingham growth focus for revamp

[jarrad]

Having played much of my playing career in the 2nd and 3rd tier of the Rockingham club it has always been a great shame that we could not develop the depth that could allow us to be competative (Especially reserve grade). We have always managed to be fairly competative in the Premier grade (As associates found on Saturday).... We also have a huge history of strength in the Junior grades supplying 5 out of 23 to the state under 15 side...... 2 of our old boys have or are currently playing Super Rugby...... more than any other Perth Club.......
This change will actually be good for our club...... We will be given time to get our act together and the players will not be faced with weekly shelackings by reserve grade sides that are just too good for us to match........ Like the Pheonix though we shall rise again.........

[Buddha Handy]

When will we hear an official statement from rockingham so as I see it currently rockinghams opponents on Saturday miss out on a third grade game with this new system in place their opponents will now have no second third or fourth grade game as these teams are. Ow playing in another comp make great sense to me
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Exactly, what is the go for the Roodogs, are only 1st grade playing now then? We had the big bus trip p1ss up planned, surely RugbyWA would not jeapordise this!!

[DinkyDi]

Having played much of my playing career in the 2nd and 3rd tier of the Rockingham club it has always been a great shame that we could not develop the depth that could allow us to be competative (Especially reserve grade). We have always managed to be fairly competative in the Premier grade (As associates found on Saturday).... We also have a huge history of strength in the Junior grades supplying 5 out of 23 to the state under 15 side...... 2 of our old boys have or are currently playing Super Rugby...... more than any other Perth Club.......
This change will actually be good for our club...... We will be given time to get our act together and the players will not be faced with weekly shelackings by reserve grade sides that are just too good for us to match........ Like the Pheonix though we shall rise again.........

Jarrad - good note and positive sentiments. It would be a shame to see Rocky dissolve but something clearly needs to be done. I just hope that this action by RugbyWA was in conjunction with Rocky as a club and not an edict handed down from on high.

[Political BS]

Rockingham should look at this as an opportunity to prove itself capable of solving whatever problems have led to this situation and to prove to itself and RugbyWA that it is a Club with fighting spirit and a big future in WA Rugby.

[Hansie]

Rest assured, this decision was a very difficult one to make.

First and foremost - Player Safety - Rocky Premier Grade are skillfull, competitive and worthy Premier Grade combatants, but they will suffer some injuries which some, in Rocky Reserve grade will fill competently, but with no 3rd grade, no under 20's - who fills the gap in Reserve grade?

Rocky will rise up....

[wholetruth]

Exactly, what is the go for the Roodogs, are only 1st grade playing now then? We had the big bus trip p1ss up planned, surely RugbyWA would not jeapordise this!!
No you guys still get to enjoy it. Doesn't look like happening for another week.

[Buddha Handy]

Exactly, what is the go for the Roodogs, are only 1st grade playing now then? We had the big bus trip p1ss up planned, surely RugbyWA would not jeapordise this!!
No you guys still get to enjoy it. Doesn't look like happening for another week.

Cheers, that is good news (as long as we win!)

[NTT]

Jarrad - good note and positive sentiments. It would be a shame to see Rocky dissolve but something clearly needs to be done. I just hope that this action by RugbyWA was in conjunction with Rocky as a club and not an edict handed down from on high.

RugbyWA has been in conjunction with Rocky about this for at least 5-7 years. It is not a snap decision. Rocky has had time to get it's house in order but hasn't, for one reason or another, been able to. Same applies to any current or future Premier grade club, if they do not meet the competition requirements within a reasonable timeframe then they run the risk of similar action.
Of the clubs down that way i predict Mandurah will eventually become the strongest out of Rocky, Kwinana and Mandurah simply because of superior location. Rocky moving 20kms from it's player base hasn't helped them either, Leagu club is another matter.

[NTT]

On the issue of population growth vs participation growth, i know for a fact RugbyWA are looking at the Perth Metro map in regards to population density, distance between clubs and rugby presence to capitalise more on the population growth. New clubs in new suburbs are being planned for over the coming years. Rugby availability is a key focus to future growth. A club up Clarkson way to provide rugby as an option could be on the cards or a club in Burswood to plug the gap between Kala, Baysie and Paly for example. CRAC is looking at how to best grow the game. Trouble is nothing has been done in the last 15 years so they are starting behind the 8 ball. It will take time but at least it's started.

[The InnFORCEr]

Ellenbrook Eels are on the cards?
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[NTT]

Ellenbrook Eels are on the cards?
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I don't see why not. If there is enough people willing to assist with startup.

[wholetruth]

i know for a fact RugbyWA are looking at the Perth Metro map in regards to population density, distance between clubs and rugby presence to capitalise more on the population growth

That makes me smile.
At least a decade ago, maybe more, a group went to the old WARU with exactly that. They spent a long time looking at metro and suburban growth, likely increase and decrease in recruitment areas and so on.
They loyted it all on a map presented it and were told "Thank you very much. What a good idea".
The result. Squidddly dot and now we have this.

[Political BS]

Dear Wholetruth,
I think you are right.... A few years ago new clubs were a nasty evil thing. I remember those Council meetings when Joondalup were trying to get started. They were made very unwelcome, and how stupid does that look now given their 400+ juniors.
Times have changed, new people, new ideas willingness to grow the game into new areas.

[Pacman]

Here's a break down of Senior Mens and Womans teams from U18's up in their respective catchments. (North, Central, South & East)

Rugby in W.A need a Premier Grade team in the South and another in the North (Joondalup), when you look a the map, Curtin Uni should be looked at in the future.

For arguments sake, if Premier Grade were to grow to a 12 team comp a couple of the Central clubs must be forced to merge.

Kwinana is an odd placement and should have had restrictions placed that they were to stay a Jnr club only; However in saying this, if RWA didn't OK the move into Kwin then the WARL were set to get a presence there.

SOUTH WESTERN: 1 Prem 3 Champ

Southern Lions: 4
Rockingham: 3
Mandurah: 3
Kwinana: 1

Total: 11 Senior Teams - 4 Clubs

NORTH WESTERN: 1 Prem 1 Champ

Wanneroo: 8
Joondalup: 4

Total: 12 Senior Team – 2 Clubs.

EASTERN: 1 Prem 2 Champ

Kalamunda: 7
ARKS: 3
Swan Suburbs: 2

Total: 12 Senior Teams – 3 Clubs.


CENTRAL: 7 Prem 1 Champ

UWA: 8
Cottesloe: 7
Associates: 7
Nedlands: 6
Bayswater: 7
Palmyra: 7
Wests: 5
Curtin Uni: 3

Total: 50 Senior Teams – 8 Clubs.

[Political BS]

Thank you Pacman,
Excellent analysis. Exactly what is needed, thoughtful intelligent assessment of where we are at. Suggest possibly Baysie into Eastern as they are probably closer to Kala and Swan and perhaps Paly into South Western. Which sterngthens your conclusion of musch more needed in the North.
Really good stuff. Certainly will provoke a lot of thought and comment.