Talking Footy

SPORT
Our Rugby League heartland is in danger

Joe Flynn (28th June 2014 12:00 PM)
THE Sunshine Coast has produced its fair share of stars - but those in the know fear the Sunshine Coast-Gympie Rugby League has never been more in danger. Veteran Maroochydore president Paul McMillan said the Coast's lack of jobs was threatening the senior competition. He said players, sponsors and supporters were becoming harder to find. Player shortages have decimated the SCGRL A-grade competition. It shrunk to six teams earlier this season when Bribie Island pulled out and Noosa and Gympie merged. It is a rugby league heartland that has produced State of Origin and Kangaroo stars - but one of longest-serving administrators in the Sunshine Coast-Gympie Rugby League has never been more fearful of the code's future on the Coast. Veteran Maroochydore president Paul McMillan says the region's job shortage is threatening the senior competition, with players, sponsors and supporters becoming harder to find. "Each year is a bit harder ... we've been looking at our books and we're concerned," he said. With a shortage of jobs forcing workers to leave the Coast or commute long distances, Noosa president Nick Webster said it was impossible to retain or recruit senior players. His club has ruled the competition for much of the past decade and produced Sydney Roosters premiership-winner Jake Friend and rising Canterbury Bulldogs talent Moses Mbye, but struggled since the slowing of the economy in 2008. "A lot of people that play rugby league are tradesmen and that sort of thing and as you know we've had a building slump in the last six or so years," Webster said. "There hasn't been a lot of work so blokes tend to get jobs where they fly in and fly out and there's a lot of pressure on your jobs, so you can't afford to play in case you get hurt." Even the league-leading Kawana Dolphins, who have not lost a game this season, are struggling, senior president Greg Ingram says. "We have 100, 110 registered players this year and we are struggling to put three teams on the field this week," he said. "There's some that are injured and there are some that are working away - that's just the way it is." SCGRL chief executive James Ward said registration numbers in seniors and juniors indicated strong interest in the game, but admitted the job situation was hurting. "The numbers signed are solid enough to sustain a competition, but the numbers available on a week-to-week basis are making it more of a struggle than it should be," he said. He said options would be discussed at an upcoming meeting with club presidents. Kawana Dolphins player Tyson Teys takes the ball up against the Caloundra Sharks. Darryn Smith Mr Ingram believes a solution must come before next season. He fears another weak off-season will reduce the once-strong league competition to only five teams like the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union competition. "It couldn't sustain another run like this year again with more teams dropping out," he said. "It would become like the rugby union comp.". Mr McMillan agreed that times were desperate and changes needed for the health of the competition. "Teams have folded in the past, but not down to this degree," he said. "We have to find a solution soon because it's not sustainable."

sydneyfc wrote:

participation numbers for rugby league nationwide are poor

Drac wrote:

Bizarre that the primary reason they list for falling participation (lack of jobs) doesn't seem to be affecting AFL numbers in the area.

Raiderdave wrote:

sydneyfc wrote:

participation numbers for rugby league nationwide are poor

hmmmmmm

1.8 Million is poor is it wanker ?
more then every other sport in the land

including Sooker & their bouncy bouncy brigade
but of course
you don't even follow wendyball do you pretender

Raiderdave wrote:

Rugby League has never been stronger on the sunshine coast you fumbling fucktards

Fred wrote:

Listen,I spend a lot of time on the sunny coast ... Here as a type .. And go to the Aussie rules a lot ... Let me tell you that rl is by far the dominant football code .... Don't believe the hype .