Central Coast junior rugby league: new rule stops player transfers
A controversial rule change that prevents children from playing rugby league with their mates is driving a wedge between Central Coast Division Junior Rugby League and its member clubs.
A controversial rule change that prevents children from playing rugby league with their mates is driving a wedge between Central Coast Division Junior Rugby League (CCDJRL) and its member clubs.
Young players wanting to swap clubs are being knocked back with top teams unable to accept transfers. The new rule is designed to stop the creation of super sides.
CCDJRL adopted the policy that if a Division 1 team placed in the top four in the 2018 season, the team “will not be eligible to receive transfers”. The rule applies to teams in the Under 10s through to the Under 18’s.
Parents are already appealing the new policy, describing it as unfair, unsafe and bizarre with the potential to drive kids away from the sport.
Charlie McKee, 11, is devastated after being told he can’t transfer from the Kincumber division one side to Erina’s top side to play with his school mates. He has to make the tough decision to either play third grade for Erina or change sports.
“It’s sad I can’t play with my friends,” Charlie said. “I didn’t think this would ever happen. It sort of makes me want to change sports but I love my footy.”
His mum Mellissa McKee said they had appealed to the CCDJRL twice for the transfer, but been refused.
“At all the games there are signs for parents saying ‘This is not the NRL’ and then they go and do this,” she said. “Charlie’s so upset, there’s no common sense.”
Peter Donohue’s son is unable to transfer to Toukley’s top side.
“No other divisions around the country seem to have this rule just the Central Coast,” Mr Donohue said.
“I find it bizarre that with the obesity rates and mental health stats in teenagers we are now forcing them out of sport by not letting them be happy with their mates. He is 15 years old and if he gives up now will not play again.”
Erina Rugby League Club 11’s coach Mark Pitstock said the rule would drive players from the sport.
“There’s talk of going to union and soccer or quitting altogether,” he said. “I have seriously thought about walking away from the game.
“They talk about duty of care, but if a division one players transfers from another club and has to play for a division three side there will be injuries if he’s a harder tackler. He won’t better his game and will hurt someone in the process.”
What Central Coast Division Junior Rugby League said
Central Coast Division Junior Rugby League president Ben Spackman said the new rule was implemented to prevent clubs creating stronger Division 1 sides.
“This player movement we have seen results in folding teams as only the stronger sides end up retaining all the better players,” he said.
“This leaves reduced player numbers in the remaining teams which end up not being competitive and kids walking away from the game. We have been seeing this in recent seasons across all age groups in the junior competition.”
Mr Spackman said CCDJRL management and newly formed Independent Competition Committee was continuing to review the rules to ensure clubs don’t lose teams and keep their players.
“At this point of time there has been no notification from any clubs that any of last seasons Top 4 teams are not entering into the 2019 competitions due to lack of numbers, “he said.
“So to date this rule has not impacted negatively on the sides it directly affects.
“To date the division has only received a few complaints from parents out of the 4000 players that typically register to play Junior Rugby League on the coast each year.”
Country Rugby League (CRL) Newcastle and Central Coast regional area manager Keith Onlsow said CRL supported CCDJRL’s policy changes.
“There are examples of similar adjustments to this policy across the state for competition specific purposes including Penrith, Parramatta and the Central Coast — which are among the largest junior participation bases in the game,” he said.
For all other teams, a maximum of two players are allowed to transfer from the same club each season.
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