Amature Scene

[Batesy]

Hi.

Myself and another player where recently asked if we where interested in playing for Griffith Black and Whites for a few months in australia. Unfortunatly we are at university, and they wanted us to travel across in term time, which we just can't afford to do.

However, the more we thought about it, the more the idea grew on us, and we are now looking at finding a different club to play at in our summer holidays. I've searched and searched for amature club's websites, and I can't find anything at all, I was directed here by a friend, who thought it would be the best place to ask for advice.

Basically, I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any amature clubs in Aus (we don't really mind where), or how we can get in touch with clubs, any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers guys.
Chris

 

[Willow]

Which university Batesy?

First up, try spelling it as 'amateur'. You'll have trouble searching for 'amature' clubs online.

Just approach your local rugby league club. Or ARL Development. SportingPlus / Leaguenet is a good resource. www.leaguenet.com.au should work.

 

[Batesy]

I'm at the University of Manchester, one of us at Birmingham, and the other at UCLAN (preston)

I came across leaguenet before, but hadn't got a clue what it was I'll have another look now. Thanks. I've spoken to my coach about it, he has a few contacts and is sending a few emails out, I'll look into ARL devolopment as well

Thanks for the reply.

 

[roopy]

They don't use the term here.
Even tiny little country clubs that don't pay players don't call themselves amatuer.

 

[Willow]

In the UK, BARLA often promotes itself as amateur. I had an inkling that Batesy is a Brit wanting to come to Australia. The Manchester education system's loss. ;-)

Batesy, first up advice is still good enough. Just approach a local rugby league club.

Where are you thinking of staying? Just about any town or city in NSW or QLD will have a local club.

I'm also curious when you said "we don't really mind where". Made me wonder if you really know the distances between places in Australia. It's a common oversight for visitors from England.

 

[innsaneink]

Yes, where you'll be based is important.
Theres almost 4000 km between

and

Ballina. NSW--------------Kalgoorlie. WA

 

[Willow]

Yes, where you'll be based is important.
Theres almost 4000 km between

and

Ballina. NSW--------------Kalgoorlie. WA

I had a job in the UK once, driving around Britain setting up promo displays in Volvo showrooms. Great work, included a van and accomodation - lots of free time and I worked alone.

The first question they asked me was "Do you mind driving long distances? You might have to drive up to 100 miles in one day!"

I got the job. lol

 

[Batesy]

In the UK, BARLA often promotes itself as amateur. I had an inkling that Batesy is a Brit wanting to come to Australia. The Manchester education system's loss. ;-)

Batesy, first up advice is still good enough. Just approach a local rugby league club.

Where are you thinking of staying? Just about any town or city in NSW or QLD will have a local club.

I'm also curious when you said "we don't really mind where". Made me wonder if you really know the distances between places in Australia. It's a common oversight for visitors from England.

I went to Aus in the summer with my family, so I know the distances They where also emphasised by Griffiths advert "only 5 hours from sydney, and 6 hours from Melbourne"

Ultimatly we actually don't mind where, the three of us live for rugby, and where all perfectly happy to work on a farm during the day, train some evenings, and then play at the weekend. That was what was on the table at Griffith, and we where over the moon, however we can't leave Uni in march, it just isn't going to happen, so we are looking for somewhere else.

I have been trying to find amature clubs to approach, but short of Peter Wynns in Parra (btw...what an amazing store to find yourself in if your an NRL loving pom) I have zero contacts in Aus, hence this thread

Batesy, btw, is a Brit that loves rugby, and wants a new challenge, I also loved Aus when I visited, (I've never seen 8 straight hours of Rugby League on TV, that was as new to me as snow is to some of you ) So why not combine the two, on a holiday with two of my best mates.

 

[Willow]

Good on you Batesy. A decade on and helping out a newcomer is an aim of LU.

But the first port of call is to know where you're staying - suburb or town.

And please stop destroying the english language. lol

 

[roopy]

Well i live on the central coast of NSW, 100 miles north of Sydney.
I can tell you that there are roughly 100 teams within 30 miles of where I live (some clubs have 5 or 6 senior teams), and they range in fitness levels from the Dora Creek Swampies;

To the Newcastle Knights;

So anyone can get a game on the central coast, if they want one. )although you would need to be registered for insurance purposes of course)

If you were good enough you might even get a run for the Cessnock Goannas, who are the junior club of this guy;

 

[innsaneink]

Tom Carroll played league for Cessnock???
Well I never.

 

[Didgi]

Well, for starters, QLD is a much superior state than NSW . Are you looking for a big city like Sydney or Brisbane or a smaller city?

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I have seen some pretty good amateur scenes in my time lol

 

[Batesy]

Well, for starters, QLD is a much superior state than NSW . Are you looking for a big city like Sydney or Brisbane or a smaller city?

A big city would be nice, there would be alot more to do, and see. Preforably Sydney? What leagues do teams play in in Sydney, for example the League I play in at home is called North West Counties, or for Uni its North West 1.

 

[innsaneink]

Theres about 10 diffrent districts in Sydney, as well as a small tertiary league which as visiting students you may have some success there tho Ive no idea.
http://www.tertiaryleague.com.au/

The 10 districts in Sydney range in size from containing 20 or 30 clubs Penrith & Parra...to a district like North Sydney with 8 clubs.

Youre narrowing it down a bit, but Sydneys also a pretty big place.

Check this:
http://www.playrugbyleague.com.au/nsw/sydney.php

Edit: You'd need to look for a club that fields an A Grade team....not all clubs go up to A Grade

 

[Batesy]

You ledgend! I've been looking for the play rugby league link for a while! I had seen the advert on TV in aus, but couldn't for the life of me remember what it was

I've been in contact with Rockingham, they seem quite keen, and I've never seen Perth, so that'd be cool.

 

[Willow]

Good thread. Let us know how it pans out Batesy.

 

[Batesy]

Will do Willows.

I've been approached by Bill Bailey Associates, who apparently find clubs for amatuer players for free. Anyone know anything about this? It all seems a bit too good to be true?

 

[innsaneink]

Seems a little odd.
You say YOU were approached, how did BBA know you were looking for a club?
You'd have to wonder whats in it for them....things are rarely ''free'', and as soon as you say:

It all seems a bit too good to be true

...it usually is.
Sorry to be pessimistic.

 

[the beavers]

hi batesy
if u are thinking of sydeney and the tertiary league then cumberland would be glad to have you
we are in parramatta (just round the corner from perter wynns )
we are ameteur... we really dont pay our players
our club and others in our comp often have travellling students play for part to whole seasons
but of course u wouldnt want to play for the other clubs in our comp.... cause we are the best
PM me if your interested