Why has Group Rugby League fallen away over the past 10 years?

Question

Competitions such as "Group 6" etc....used to be seen as a stepping stone for young players, particularly from Rural areas, for example, Lee Oudenrian from the "Warragamba Wombats" (seriously thats what they were called) Who the following year played First Grade Wing for Parramatta. With the advent of the "Metropolitan Cup", later the "Jim Bean Cup", Group football has seemed to fall away. It actually become a burial ground for "has beens" and "almost rans". Whats going wrong with Group Footy?

Answer 1

You've already said it!  It's not a stepping stone anymore.  Kids nowadays get into elite programs at 16 years of age.  Why bother with Group footy?

Cheers

Bronco

Answer 2

A lot of the Group clubs are dying.  The nrl go visit at the beginning of the year and then forget them for the rest.  The NSWRL look after the Jim Beam and Junior Reps and not much else.  Its left up to the CRL to try and salvage whats left and a lot go under.

I am in Illawarra and they merge with Group 7 (South Coast) from 13's to 16's so that kids in both get an opportunity to make the Harold Matthews and SG Ball for Illawarra.  If you don't make that side you can get the chance in the group 13's to 16's in the Country Cluster Championships.  If you don't get the opportunity in those you can be lost and most are and end up in the Group comps for 18's up to seniors.  Kids, when 18, can then get mixed up with "has beens" and "knuckle heads" who only play for the biff.  This can be a real turnoff as my son's found out gave up after 16's.

Answer 3

IT'S BECAUSE THE BIG CLUBS TAKE THEM AT A YOUNG AGE & IF THEY DO'NT MAKE IT THEY ARE PLACED IN A FEEDER CLUB SO THEY ARE LOST

Answer 4

The greedy NRL clubs are grabbing everything that looks good. Two of my nephews, Jason Death & Josh Bateman were snapped up by Canberra & Penrith while still in school. I think they would have been better off in their own group games for another few years.