Calls to scrap Two Blues rugby merger plans with West Harbour, Penrith

A furious mayor has called for ‘hostile’ north shore and eastern suburbs rugby union clubs to abandon plans that would force the Western Sydney Two Blues to amalgamate.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou has called for NSW Rugby Union to intervene and ensure the Western Sydney Two Blues are not forced to merge with Penrith and West Harbour in the Shute Shield so other clubs can poach homegrown talent.

Cr Christou expressed his concerns over the possible merger just as the council is putting the finishing touches on a $13.5 million Eric Tweedale Stadium at Granville Park, which will be the Two Blues’ home ground.

Shute Shield governing body Sydney Rugby Union (SRU) made up of representatives from the various clubs, is proposing new benchmarks for all clubs including employing a full-time coach, having a minimum of seven grades, having a doctor at each game and a minimum level of revenue.

Despite the SRU denying forced mergers, Cr Christou said the benchmarks disadvantaged the western Sydney clubs who would take several years to reach the standards, and if they failed them, amalgamations would be likely.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou with Two Blues Zebulun Kavapalu and Norwin Latu. Picture: Monique Harmer

“It’s typical of the wealthier clubs in wealthier suburbs to dismiss the western suburbs clubs who have worked so hard to build the sport to provide opportunities for young people from lower socio-economic communities,” he said.

The mayor accused Eastern Suburbs, Gordon, Manly, Northern Suburbs,

Eastwood and the University of Sydney of conspiring to end the Two Blues,

“mainly so they could poach their players and extend their own catchment areas into

the western suburbs”.

“The disappearance of the Two Blues will reduce sporting pathways and development

opportunities for our young people – many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds’’ cR Christou said.

“The hostile clubs have made a list of financial requirements to continue to be in the

Shute Shield competition, knowing they could already meet those standards, but that

Two Blues would take several years to meet them.

“This includes employing a full-time coach, having a minimum of seven grades, having a doctor at each game and minimum level of revenue.

“While there are some wider systemic issues at play which need urgent attention by

Rugby NSW and Rugby Australia, this attack on a local club smacks of jealousy and

elitism.”

The clubs branded as elitists have been contacted for comment.

On Wednesday, the council unanimously supported the mayor’s call to write to Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby Union to tackle the issue and ensure the Two Blues remained a stand-alone club.

A SRU spokesman ruled out forced amalgamations on clubs and said it was undertaking a Participation Agreement with NSW Rugby Union for next season.

“We are not forcing mergers upon any clubs and mergers were raised in discussions with clubs as a potential solution to ensure clubs had sufficient player numbers to allow all clubs to compete in all grades across the 2022 competition,’’ the spokesman said.

“The aim of the Participation Agreement and the process being undertaken is about creating stronger premier clubs within the competition and ensuring all players can compete in all grades of Australia’s premier club rugby competition week in and out.

“The process is continuing, and all clubs have provided extensive feedback for consideration.’’

Two Blues general manager Craig Morgan said the club would need three years to rebuild after settling into their new Granville Park headquarters to meet the benchmarks, including securing a full time head coach, for which the club has already started advertising.

“It takes time to rebuild,’’ he said.

“We haven’t had facilities that people are attracted to. You look at that from a parent’s point of view.

“It was a charming facility but it wasn’t an attractive facility in modern day terms and so we say there’s an opportunity to rebuild stronger relationships with our juniors and run programs.’’

Eastwood Rugby general manager Robert Frost said his club, which is developing headquarters at Castle Hill, was “unequivocally part of western Sydney”.

“We are strong supporters of growing the game in our region — as an example we have recently committed to staff and fund an academy for promising junior athletes exclusively in western Sydney’’ he said.

“These are not just words — we employ a full time development officer whose role is work in the community with schools and junior clubs to help grow the game

“We’ve never been contacted by Mayor Christou so unable to comment on the source of his statements. We have not been part of any meetings to ‘conspire to end’ any club.’’

A NSW Rugby Union spokesman welcomed the new Granville Park facility at Merrylands.

“The Eric Tweedale Stadium will be a shining light for rugby in Sydney, and we applaud the Cumberland Council for providing such a facility for their local community.’’

Cr Christou called for Granville state Labor MP and opposition sports spokeswoman Julia Finn to lobby against the merger after saying he did not receive any “meaningful suport’’ from her.

But Ms Finn, who secured state funding for the Granville Park upgrade in 2016, hit back.

“Neither the Two Blues or the mayor have contacted me about this issue,’’ she said.

“As the Shadow Minister for Sport it is my role to hold the government to account in supporting the growth of both community and professional spectator sport, not to dictate to sports how to run themselves.’’

Eric Tweedale at Granville Park with the stadium to be named in his honour under construction in the background.

Nevertheless she said she had raised concerns with NSW Rugby.

The 760-seat grandstand at Granville Park is due to open in August and is named after Australia’s oldest Wallaby who was raised in Merrylands and grew up playing on its turf, which was once labelled Death Valley for its run-down conditions.

The former Guildford Public School student joined Parramatta Rugby Union Club aged 15 before it became known as the Parramatta Two Blues and then the Western Sydney Two Blues.

The stadium naming coincided with Mr Tweedale’s 100th birthday on May 5. It will house a function room, commercial kitchen, new players and referee change rooms, a multi-purpose room and gym, administration room, canteen and lift.

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