I know there's more to it in the background with the JV and it's structure with funding, etc. than just say 'relocate fully to Campbelltown', but the people of Campbelltown and surrounding areas have been dudded. They get 4 or so matches a year, generally out of Sydney teams. I live 'next door' in Camden, and the perception here, at least with the schools, is that Souths do more than the Tigers. But if they have more of a prescence in Campbelltown, like base themselves in that area but still have a few matches a year at Leichhardt, it may be a good start.
Here's a positive move for them at least - goes back to the old group 6 days before Western Suburbs Magpies permanently relocated to Campbelltown back in the late 1980's.
East Campbelltown Eagles is the biggest Club in the Macarthur Wests Tigers junior league with teams from under 6's through to open age plus a team in the Sydney Shield who are the feeder team for Wests Magpies Ron Massey Cup side.
After a year of discussions among a steering committee comprising representatives of the NSWRL, Wests Tigers Macarthur, Group 6 and Wests Group Macarthur, the decision was made to form a combined conference with the goal of improving the competitive balance of both rugby league districts.
The combined competition, known as the NSW Rugby League Macarthur Conference, will commence in 2022.
The new competition structure will see a combined conference system from under thirteens to first grade, with the open age groups to be comprised of existing regional clubs.
The move will not affect Under 6s to Under 12s, who will remain in their respective Group 6 and Wests Tigers Macarthur competitions.
The Macarthur and Southern Highlands Region boasted 7,034 participants in 2021 and the move towards a combined competition structure next season will ensure a more competitive balance for participants and create a better pathway for development.