NSW Junior Rugby Union
The recent NSW Juniors AGM was an opportunity to review the cracking season that 2023 was, but it also turned attention towards the plans for season 2024. Part of the agenda was to announce the venues for the 2024 Rep program events – particularly the NSW Junior State Championships which are proudly supported by The Rugby Club Foundation.
Whilst a number of these venues will remain the same, which is great for consistency and planning, often there are factors outside our control which mean that a new host venue is required for the next season. We know that the State Champs weekend brings a massive economic boost to a region, but factors such as local host club resources, ground availability, support from the local council and available accommodation are all pieces of the puzzle that are considered when determining a State Champs venue.
That being said NSW Juniors would like to thank our 2024 Host clubs and the local councils / supporters that have facilitated bringing our signature event to their regions. Here is the 2024 schedule;
The incredible success of the State Gala since 2019 has been fantastic – this was the year we first joined the U10 and U11 ages together and offered the opportunity to field two team in each age group as a developmental entry to Rep rugby. So much has been the rise in team numbers since then that we exceeded 60 teams in the 2023 version. Unfortunately this success has meant that we only have very few options within the State to find a venue with 8 rugby fields. But when considering we also need a venue that can also provide local council support, a willing host club and enough accommodation for approximately 6000 attendees, the options were more difficult to find.
Luckily the growth in numbers has meant that both the Under10 and Under 11 age groups have the critical mass to stand alone as an event and as such they will be run as separate events in 2024.
The Under 10 State Gala will be hosted by Oatley Junior Rugby Club and will run out of Riverwood Park, Riverwood. Our hosts have already begun working with their local council and are well placed with a full four field venue and ample parking to run what will be an exciting development entry to Rep rugby for our youngest rugby players.
The Under 11 State Gala will be hosted by Mudgee Rugby Union with the support of Mid-Western Regional Council and will be run out of the fabulous Glen Willow Sporting Complex. Arguably one of the best sporting facilities in the State, Glen Willow boasts eight fields and will be an epic venue for our U11 players and their families to have their first ‘rugby road trip’. We are pleased to announce that the Under 11s are locked into Mudgee for the next 3 years, so Zones and Districts are advised to start planning early and lock in your accommodation. For info on Mudgee click here
The Under 12 State Championships will remain at Camden Rugby Park, hosted by the Camden Rugby Club. But there will be a change in program as the 2024 event will see the NSW Country Champs incorporated within the State Champs (as has been done in the older age groups for the past few years). This will mean that the event will be requiring three (3) fields –which by chance the Camden Rugby club will be unveiling a third field in early 2024. The other change will be the introduction of a new U12 Sydney Cup. Plenty of exciting times in the Under 12 age group.
The Under 13 State Championships are mid-term of a multi-year agreement to remain in Orange and will again be hosted by Orange City Junior Rugby Club and Orange City Council. The venue will be Waratahs Sports Club and similar to the Under 12’s this will see the NSW Country Champs incorporated into the State Champs for the first time in this age group. Thus we will have a new Sydney Cup as well. So for our Under 13 cohort same, same, but different. For more info on Orange click here
The Under 14 State Championship for both Boys and Girls are also back to Apex Oval, Dubbo as part of a multi-year agreement. Our hosts will be Dubbo Roos Rugby Club and Dubbo Regional Council whom we thank for their support in bringing this event to Dubbo. NSW Country Champs and Sydney Cups will continue to be a part of the State Champs weekend. A quality venue with wonderful facilities – if you haven’t been then you should definitely come for a look. For more info on Dubbo click here
The Under 15 State Championships are heading to Marcellin Park, Maitland hosted by Maitland rugby Club. We held our very successful 2023 City vs Country event in Maitland in 2023 and hats off to the Maitland Rugby Committee who have sought external support to ensure we could bring a State Champs event to the heart of the Hunter. NSW Country Champs and Sydney Cups will continue to be a part of the State Champs weekend. Will be a super weekend at Marcellin Park.
The Under 16 State Championships for both Boys and Girls are staying in the Mid North Coast Zone, but moving up the coast slightly. CEX Stadium at Coffs Harbour will be our host venue and our host club will be the Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Club. Once again we must thank the hard work of the local rugby committee as they have secured some wonderful external support to ensure we can host this event in Coffs Harbour. And with an estimated near $3 million ‘rugby’ boost to the local economy for a single weekend, I am sure that many local businesses share our thanks too. NSW Country Champs and Sydney Cups will continue to be a part of the State Champs weekend.
The Under 18 State Championships for both Boys and Girls will remain in Sydney but will find a new home at St Lukes Ovals, Concord. Hosted by one of our long term supporters in West Harbour Rugby, we have much confidence that this will be a stellar event for our oldest State Champs competitors. And if the rumours are correct a Finals Day on Concord Oval would be a spectacular finale. More to come on this one. NSW Country Champs and Sydney Cups will continue to be a part of the State Champs weekend.
Once again SJRU will be holding a Development Gala for the Under 12 age group in both Boys and Girls. This will be held at North Narrabeen Reserve and hosted by the Narrabeen Tigers Rugby Club. The Development Gala is an opportunity for Districts and Zones to field a ‘2nd’ Rep team in the Under 12 age group (boys) and expose a whole lot more players to wearing their Zone or District jersey. Designed for the age group just before they head to High school this is the perfect opportunity to open your Rep programs to more players and build depth within your clubs and programs. Without the top Rep players involved this is an enormous growth opportunity and the success in the past two years suggests that you all agree.
For our youngest girls (Under 12) this is the first opportunity to have an ‘all girls’ Rep program – the format will be played as 10’s (10 per side) and is open to all Zones and Districts. This is the entry level and the building block for your girls Rep programs moving forward.
Some things change – and others don’t. Blacktown Scorpions will again host the Regionals at Grantham Reserve, Seven Hills. Lock and load, we all know the routine here.
Hopefully our last piece of the 2024 puzzle will see us at Ann Ashwood Park, Bathurst for the annual City vs Country Carnival. We are speaking with the Bathurst Bulldogs Rugby Club about supporting us taking this premier event to the oldest city west of the Blue Mountains in 2024 – we are close, stay tuned.
It is worth noting a few changes that will affect Girls Rep rugby for 2024.
Eligibility Criteria for State Champs – For season 2024 the same eligibility that currently applies for Boys to be able to play at the State Champs will now apply to the girls. This means that the Girls must have played a minimum of four (4) club rugby games in season 2024 prior to the State Champs to be eligible. For the Sydney Districts this will be via the SJRU Girls 10s competition which starts on April 7th. For NSW Country Zones - As with the boys, players need to have played 50% of available competition round games before State/Country Champs. Where competitions are not in place, contact Renee Park at NSW Country Rugby.
New Girls NSW Teams for the Under 16 & Under 18 Age groups –Season 2024 will be the first where NSW Juniors will select a Girls NSW team in the Under 16 and Under 18 age groups. This team will be selected solely from the City vs Country game and obviously to get to that game girls will need to have played at State Champs to be eligible. As no other States are yet able to select a state team these NSW teams will contest games against a Pasifika Rep side and play as a curtain raiser to a Super W clash.
New Pasifika Girls teams for Under 16 and Under 18 Age groups –To be selected directly from the Pasifika Youth Cup, we will be choosing a side that will compete against the NSW Girls teams (above). The Pasifika side will be selected ‘solely’ from players at the Pasifika Youth Cup tournament – ALL players in this tournament are eligible for selection (unless you are already in the NSW side 😊).
