Newcastle, Central Coast rugby league: NSWRL announce review of competitions, pathways

Rugby league in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast regions are bracing for a major upheaval, with NSW Rugby League outlining plans for a “wide-ranging review”.

Rugby league in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast regions are bracing for a major upheaval, with NSW Rugby League outlining plans for a “wide-ranging review”.

The existing pathways and competitions will come under scrutiny with the review process expected to take more than six months to complete.

A five-year strategic plan for rugby league in the regions is expected to be unveiled by NSWRL following the review.

“We need to get competition structures absolutely right in this area for our game to have the best chance of thriving,” NSWRL head of football Robert Lowrie said.

“Not only do individual competitions and pathways need to be correctly designed, but the manner in which they interact with each other needs to be carefully considered to provide the best outcome.

“This review is a really important component of our Project 2026 in one of the most strategically important areas in our state.”

A major upheaval could be coming to rugby league in Newcastle and Central Coast.

Stakeholders across the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast regions will be involved in the review process to help shape the new-look pathways system and competition structures.

“Ensuring that the local stakeholders are involved in all of this planning will give us the best opportunity to have long-term sustainable competitions in the area for the benefit of our players, our clubs and the game as a whole,” Lowrie said.

“I am sure that providing the stakeholders in the area with the opportunity to take off their club hats and take a more region-wide strategic view of the game will also be welcomed by them.”

No changes to next season’s competitions will be proposed by the NSWRL board until the review is completed and decisions made on the region’s future rugby league direction.

The review process is expected to begin in coming months and be completed by mid-2022.

NSWRL’S BOLD PLAN TO REVITALISE COMMUNITY FOOTY

A statewide system ranking semi-professional and amateur footy players will launch next year in the latest bid to halt community rugby league’s apparent slow march to doom.

The NSW Rugby League will introduce the Player Points Index System, effectively working as an “amateur” salary cap to promote close competitions and sustainable clubs.

All competitions, from Ron Massey Cup, Sydney Shield to bush footy, will be given a points quota depending on the standard of competition.

Each player will then be given a points value calculated off the highest standard of rugby league they’ve played in the past five years with a former State of Origin player allocated a points value of 35 points. Footballers will be rewarded with discounts for representing their junior club or club loyalty.

A bush footy game in Coffs Harbour in 2018. Picture: Brad Greenshields

Other mechanisms of the system include a handicap on top performing teams, for example, a team which comes first on the ladder will only have 75 per cent of the competition’s points quota available the following season.

Clubs in towns with low populations, such as Jamberoo Super Roos or Nyngan Tigers, will also be given a higher points quota as compensation.

NSWRL head of football Robert Lowrie said the system would help grassroots rugby league stay sustainable.

“It’s important to have a system across NSW that encourages all players to stay loyal to their local community, and to reward those clubs which are building a strong nucleus within their roster based on junior and local development,” he said.

The system also supports the return of ex-NRL stars to lower grade football, with those returning to their own junior club given a zero point value and those seen to be bringing positive benefits to rugby league receiving heavy discounts.

Daniel Mortimer.

Former Parramatta Eels halfback Daniel Mortimer, who in recent years returned to his junior club Orange CYMS in Group 10 as captain-coach, said players with NRL experience bring significant value to a community clubs.

“I know myself as a young fella if I had a coach who had previous NRL experience I would be pumped. It’s weird putting the shoe on the other foot now having been that person, but I don’t think we can underestimate the influence it has on the young lads,” he said.

“(Orange CYMS) were responsible for a lot of my development and it is nice to be able to come back and give back. There are a lot of real good people out here that make clubs run so it is nice to come and lend that support.”

NSWRL’s David Skinner, who played a leading role in establishing the Player Points Index System, said a key focus was valuing the “locals” and ensuring every club has a chance of success.

“What you don’t want is the side who has just won the competition to then go back to market and keep adding (talented players) to the point where it is just squashing the hopes and aspirations of those who finish towards the bottom of the ladder,” he said.

The new system will take effect from 2022.