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Fears arise for rugby league's future in Sydney's west after NSWRL snub
By Josh Massoud
August 09, 2009 One of rugby league's most cherished breeding grounds for the past 50 years, St Gregory's College Campbelltown, has cast enormous doubt over its ongoing commitment to the code.
The school which has produced household names that include Trent Barrett, Ryan Hoffman, Tim Sheens, Jack Gibson and Jason Taylor, has withdrawn from this week's 65th NSWRL All-schools knockout in St Marys.
Junior league officials were stunned on Wednesday morning when the Campbelltown institution failed to enter a single team in the tournament, one of the biggest and most prestigious events on the schoolboy calendar.
It has deepened concerns about the stability of league's foothold in Sydney's west, where both rugby union and AFL are looking to muscle in.
Although still viewed as a strong contender in premier schoolboy competition, The Arrive Alive Cup, St Gregory's has been increasing its commitment to rugby over the past three years.
A league source close to the school said the change in direction was likely to continue, given the new boarding headmaster hails from famed ACT rugby nursery Marist College.
"There's a duty-of-care concern at the school about giving the boarders something to do on the weekends," the source said.
"Rugby union has organised schoolboy competitions on Saturdays – league doesn't. Because we play midweek, that can also affect their curriculum. There's also been some red-tape about whether the kids are eligible to play in the Western Suburbs junior league on weekends."
NSWRL junior reps boss Martin Meredith said Wednesday's no-show had caught organisers by complete surprise, with no one from St Gregory's bothering to contact him with an explanation.
Meredith remained unaware of St Gregory's reason for not entering teams in any of the four age groups, which ranged from under-13s to under-16s.
"All I've been told is the decision not to come was made by the school's leadership committee, but I won't know any more until I speak to the principal directly (Monday)," Meredith said.
"They still played in the Arrive Alive Cup on Thursday (losing to Hills Sports High in the round of 16). The school has not contacted us with anything as yet."
St Gregory's uncertain future was a major talking point among NRL recruitment managers and player agents at CUA Stadium during Friday afternoon's Arrive Alive Cup clash between Matraville and St John's Woodlawn.
Bulldogs recruitment guru Peter Mulholland, who taught and coached at St Gregory's for 20 years, was among the most concerned.
"Their decision to pull out came as a shock, to say the least," Mulholland said. "We're obviously concerned because it's been a wonderful school for rugby league. It will be interesting to see what happens from here."
By Josh Massoud
August 09, 2009 One of rugby league's most cherished breeding grounds for the past 50 years, St Gregory's College Campbelltown, has cast enormous doubt over its ongoing commitment to the code.
The school which has produced household names that include Trent Barrett, Ryan Hoffman, Tim Sheens, Jack Gibson and Jason Taylor, has withdrawn from this week's 65th NSWRL All-schools knockout in St Marys.
Junior league officials were stunned on Wednesday morning when the Campbelltown institution failed to enter a single team in the tournament, one of the biggest and most prestigious events on the schoolboy calendar.
It has deepened concerns about the stability of league's foothold in Sydney's west, where both rugby union and AFL are looking to muscle in.
Although still viewed as a strong contender in premier schoolboy competition, The Arrive Alive Cup, St Gregory's has been increasing its commitment to rugby over the past three years.
A league source close to the school said the change in direction was likely to continue, given the new boarding headmaster hails from famed ACT rugby nursery Marist College.
"There's a duty-of-care concern at the school about giving the boarders something to do on the weekends," the source said.
"Rugby union has organised schoolboy competitions on Saturdays – league doesn't. Because we play midweek, that can also affect their curriculum. There's also been some red-tape about whether the kids are eligible to play in the Western Suburbs junior league on weekends."
NSWRL junior reps boss Martin Meredith said Wednesday's no-show had caught organisers by complete surprise, with no one from St Gregory's bothering to contact him with an explanation.
Meredith remained unaware of St Gregory's reason for not entering teams in any of the four age groups, which ranged from under-13s to under-16s.
"All I've been told is the decision not to come was made by the school's leadership committee, but I won't know any more until I speak to the principal directly (Monday)," Meredith said.
"They still played in the Arrive Alive Cup on Thursday (losing to Hills Sports High in the round of 16). The school has not contacted us with anything as yet."
St Gregory's uncertain future was a major talking point among NRL recruitment managers and player agents at CUA Stadium during Friday afternoon's Arrive Alive Cup clash between Matraville and St John's Woodlawn.
Bulldogs recruitment guru Peter Mulholland, who taught and coached at St Gregory's for 20 years, was among the most concerned.
"Their decision to pull out came as a shock, to say the least," Mulholland said. "We're obviously concerned because it's been a wonderful school for rugby league. It will be interesting to see what happens from here."