NRL - Changes to NYC

Hi.

Welcome back to LargeK9.com! It's been ages since I've posted anything. But I have a theory on how to expand and/or develop the 20's comp.

This theory has somewhat been born of watching the NCAA March Madness but also from my own experiences watching the 20's comp and thinking that it needs to be done better. We can all agree that the concept as "the stepping stone to the NRL" hasn't worked. It needs to be tweaked. I also think that there needs to be a reserve grade comp back. Teams have evidenced that their is a distinct lack of depth at present.

Here's what I propose.

Bring back Reserve Grade. Plain and simple it needs to happen. NSW Cup isn't cutting it. Each team should provide a team, and squads would benefit from the genuine competition rather than the current 'Top 25' system.

"This won't be cost effective with having a 20's team as well" I hear you say. I agree. And this is where I get revolutionary.

The National Youth Competition should be a stand alone competition. Take the management of the teams away from the NRL teams. Move these teams to different locations. For example Central Coast, Central Queensland, Adelaide, Perth, Coffs Harbour etc. Sure some teams can and will remain in Sydney and Brisbane but they can be separate entities, governed by their own body under the ARLC. Play out of Belmore and Redfern, etc, to make use of these great suburban grounds.

Moving these teams will serve a number of purposes. Such as, some players not having to make a massive lifestyle change of country to city living before being ready. These towns and cities can prove that they can host and support a functioning rugby league team. The Charlotte Bobcats wouldn't exist in the NBA if it wasn't for the success of North Carolina teams in college competitions. It potentially will also generate more revenue as people can support these individual teams.

By having these teams as individual entities, more focus can be put onto developing these players as people as well as athletes. It will still be a professional competition, but I'd suggest more of a scholarship style system. Out of the players package would come rent, groceries, and an allowance. This will teach them some budgeting skillls and hopefully mitigate and potential Michael Sullivan style situations.

The players would need to complete study and or work like they currently do, and I would also add some community work to take the focus off them as "stars" and teach that they are as much a part of the community as the team itself.

The competition wouldn't be as long, so as to not physically wear out the players before their bodies can handle it. I say 20 rounds and then finals. Would be completed by the time NRL finals are due. Which gives 20's players time to recover or rehab before the next part of my plan.

At the age of 18 or after at least one year of NYC (whichever is the latter) the players could then nominate for the Draft. Yep. A draft. I sincerely believe that it is needed. And moving these teams to separate locations can facilitate that. It takes away the "That's our player!" mentality that's currently ingrained in our game. And will allow for growth and hopefully parity. It's the one area that I think the AFL leads at the moment.

And I think the Draft would promote interest in the NYC comp too. Fans would pay attention to see what players were killing it, in the hope that they might draft them to their NRL team.

I also think that there should be a free agency period but thats another post.