Central Coast rugby league clubs call for more info over proposed under-19 changes

Central Coast rugby league clubs have called for more information about proposed changes to completely reshape the under-19s competition, amid concerns over the impacts.

WyongÕs Zac Gillett v Berkeley Vale at Morry Breen Oval Sunday 7th May 2023 Central Coast Rugby League pic Sue Graham

Clubs in the Central Coast Rugby League have questioned a plan to overhaul the under-19s competition next year and have called on the division to provide more information before they commit to any proposals.

As reported a fortnight ago, the association announced that it would combine the Central Coast under-19 competition with the Newcastle and Maitland under-18.5 grade to form a single competition across the Central Coast-Hunter Region in 2024.

This comes on the back of a player shortage in the age group, with just five teams competing in the Central Coast under-19s competition this season.

In addition, under the new changes the authorities also invited Wyong and The Entrance to enter teams in the Newcastle Rugby League under-19s competition – the premier youth division in the Hunter that aligns with the Denton Engineering Cup.

This would in essence create a two-tiered system that would see the Roos and Tigers potentially enter teams in the top under-19s competition, with the other Central Coast clubs joining a series of Hunter counterparts in a second-tier grade.

The proposals mark a huge shift in how the under-19s competition has operated in the past, with all senior Coast clubs traditionally entering teams in the grade – along with reserves, opens and, in more recent years, league tag – with the games acting as curtain-raisers to the first grade fixture.

‘We need more info’

While the various bodies involved in the decision – the CCRL, Newcastle Rugby League, Hunter Junior Rugby League and the NSWRL – said they would work on ironing out any kinks and clarifying details over the coming months, local clubs say they largely are in the dark about the finer aspects of the system and were not consulted before the decision was made.

“When it came out it was a bit of a shock to everybody. Looking at it, who knows if it’s going to happen? That’s my first question,” said Greg Walsh, president of The Entrance.

“I know they’ve said that Wyong and The Entrance can go and join this comp, but we need more information,” he added.

“At this stage there’s just not enough information to make a decision.”

The Entrance are calling for more information before they make a decision. Picture: Sue Graham

It was a similar sentiment shared by Wyong.

“From our perspective there are a lot of things that need clarification,” said the Roos’ football operations manager Stephen Marks.

Indeed, given the additional option of joining the premier 19s competition, both Wyong and The Entrance have found themselves in a slightly different situation to the other clubs.

“We’ve got to consider what the situation will be in the event that we’re able to field two teams in that age group,” said Marks.

“So could there be movement between the two teams and we want to know what that’s going to look like? It’s still a little uncertain, we don’t know how it’s going to operate. We appreciate the invitation but have not committed to that yet.”

Logistical concerns

One of the main concerns raised by clubs is the logistical challenge associated with having the under-19s sides playing at different venues to their other senior sides.

And while this has been a factor this year, with the fact that there are only five under-19s clubs resulting in lopsided draws, there are concerns that a merged competition with Hunter teams could exacerbate the issue.

“It’s going to make it extremely difficult,” said Lyndon Duncan, the president of Kincumber Colts seniors.

“You’ve got to remember that if these 19s aren’t at school then they’re apprentices. They don’t have money for fuel to get up to Maitland and Newcastle every second week. Some of my boys struggle to get to Toukley, with fuel the way it is.”

He added: “I’m going to struggle to get my guys up to Newcastle. We’re going to have to get a Coaster or a 20-seater bus to get them around. People say, ‘Oh it’s Newcastle, it’s not that far.’ It’s an hour and 50/two hours to get there, then two hours to get home.”

Clubs have raised logistical concerns about the proposed changes. Picture: Sue Graham

Lyndon says these logistical issues pose plenty of challenges for clubs like his which often rely on under-19s players to fill in for the higher grades on match day.

“If they run it (combined 19s comp) on a Sunday, god forbid, there goes those boys who need to back up for reserves or first grade. There goes their whole experience of Coast club football because they’ll never play with their club,” he said.

“We’re trying to get the 19s to commit to the club, to build a culture, but how are they going to be a part of the culture when they’re playing at 9 o’clock somewhere and we’re somewhere else for the rest of the day? I’m sorry, but they’re not going to come back and watch the other grades play.”

The issue is one that The Entrance will also consider when making a decision on what path it will take for next season.

“We’re in a situation this year at The Entrance where we’ve had 19s players play third grade, reserve grade, first grade and even a couple of guys who’ve gone into Denton Cup,” said Walsh.

Another potential logistical concern clubs have brought up is the strain on club officials and helpers if teams are consistently playing at different venues over the course of the weekend.

“We don’t have enough staff, we’re a community club,” said Kincumber president Lyndon.

“Some other clubs are likely to be able to find people to do it, but we’re not paying physios, we’re not paying runners – none of our staff get paid. So I’ve now got to find another strapper, trainer, first aider to go up the 19s games because I’ve still got first grade, reserve grade, ladies, opens and hopefully women’s tackle next year. I don’t know how we’ll do it.”

Erina’s Riley Burke is one of a series of under-19s players to have made an impact in first grade this season. Picture: Jodie Ward

Going a step further, while the proposal to combine the Central Coast and Hunter competitions has been made to ensure that footballers in that age group have a suitable and adequate competition to play in amid falling participation numbers, Lyndon fears that it may in fact drive young players away from the game.

“Most of them will back up when we ask, they’re all at training every week, they help out around the club – they’re a good crops of guys, but I’m gonna lose half of them.

“Once again, nearly all more boys are apprentices or at school, and you’re adding an extra $70-100 for them to go play footy. I think that’s something they probably didn’t think about,” he said.

“We’re all very active to get the juniors involved with our club. But this will cruel it, this will hurt it.”

It’s a concern shared by Berkeley Vale president Matt Roberts.

“What happens if 18-year-olds don’t want to travel to Maitland or Nelson Bay or wherever they have to go? I would take my kids, but maybe not everyone wants to or can do that.”

Will the rich get richer?

Another issue raised by club officials is the concern that the introduction of a two-tiered system could further exacerbate the discrepancy between the wealthier clubs and others.

“I have a couple of concerns,” said Roberts. “I think the (Central Coast) kids from outside Wyong and The Entrance have shown that they can match it with them, so they’re then losing that opportunity to test themselves and compete against the players of those two clubs.

“Then what’s gonna happen is if we have a great young kid at Berkeley Vale – and we’ve got a few – they’ll say, ‘Oh, I want to play in that comp (Denton Cup)’, so the way in is to join Wyong and The Entrance – and voila, suddenly Wyong and The Entrance are acquiring more players. I think that’s an issue,” he added.

“I think the rich could get richer.”

There are concerns the proposals could exacerbate the discrepancy between wealthier clubs and others. Picture: Sue Graham

Even though Wyong might not be negatively affected by such development, Marks says his club also has concerns about what the introduction of a two-tiered system might do to player movements and the general state of the game on the Coast.

“The under-19s district competition in Newcastle will be a direct pathway to the Denton Cup, so there’ll be players from other clubs wanting to go to The Entrance and Wyong for that opportunity,” he said.

“So they (the division) will need to look at that and if there’s some way of addressing that player movement whilst protecting the clubs,” he added. “Getting that balance is tricky.”

Opinions remain mixed

CCRL officials have said they will meet properly with clubs at the end of the season to discuss the plans and attempt to find solutions to concerns.

However until then there is likely to be a mix of opinions locally about the proposed shake-up of under-19 rugby league.

“At the moment you’ve got two competitions – one in Newcastle and one on the Central Coast – which are not as strong as they should be,” said Marks.

“Does the amalgamation of those two competitions provide something better? There are always risks in these sorts of things but there are rewards as well. If they get it right it should be a good thing.”

Terrigal young gun Aymn Hamilton. The Sharks didn’t enter an under-19s side this season.Photo: Jodie Ward.

Berkeley Vale’s Matt Roberts is also receptive to the plans, given more information is provided.

“As a concept, we’re definitely open to it, as long as there’s fairness in the way it’s organised,” he said.

“I think there’s an opportunity to have more variety in the teams and this would provide different playing opportunities for these 19s,” he added.

“But in saying that, I have some concerns. I also think we should focus on Central Coast development and what we could do better.”

Kincumber’s Lyndon Duncan is among the more critical voices of the plans, and says more focus should be placed on improving participation locally.

“I hate to say it because I’m not sure what to do and what the solution might be, but it just stinks of a lack of innovation, no thought process on how to actually make the Coast better. It seems like the easy way out is to destroy the under-19s comp,” he said.

“It also speaks of a lack of patience. It’s still only one and a half years ago that they shut the comp down; last year was our first comp back, so we’ve still got to build it back. Covid was a disaster for us here on the Coast. You’ve just got to build it back, you’ve got to let the juniors know that there will be footy.”

Note: we have contacted the CCRL and will shortly publish another article further outlining the division’s plans as well as answering some of the questions and concerns raised by clubs.