So, I've now done some further research on my last post.
The QRL is far better structured than the NSWRL. The entire NSW Cup competition is basically a Sydney comp with a few teams within 2 hours of Sydney and the Warriors Reserve Grade. Which means that it will be difficult to align a junior structure in line with this competition, similar to what Qld has. However, It appears that the NSW CRL have already 'restructured' themselves into "Larger Regions" consisting of:
REGION 1 - EAST COAST DOLPHINS
REGION 2 – GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS
REGION 3 – BIDGEE BULLS
REGION 4 – WESTERN RAMS
REGION 5 – GREATER SOUTHERN
REGION 6 – NEWCASTLE REBELS (Including Central Coast)
Realistically you could split the Newcastle Region in two, so that Central Coast would have their own Region and the Bidgee Bulls could be split from the ACT and it could have it's own Region as well. That's 8 defined Regions of country NSW.
I don't see why that the NRL could not ramp up funding and employ multiple fulltime coaching and development staff into these areas to develop players and have these 8 regions play in something similar to a Harold Matthews and SG Ball competition.
In the Harold Matthews and SG Ball, there is currently 12 Sydney based teams, aligned to the Sydney based NRL teams and a few random Western Sydney Academy teams. The first question is, do they really need 12 teams in junior rep sides, particularly if kids from the country will be encouraged to stay at their home? I dare say not, but if they wanted to have 12 then so be it. Why could the entire Sydney region be not broken up into 8-10 (or 12) regions all funded and operated by the NRL completely seperate from their previous NSWRL alligned NRL team?
Creating a 16-20 Region Junior Development Structure within NSW.
