President’s End-of-Season Update
And just like that the 2022 season draws to a close.
Fourth Grade
Well not for all – our mighty Fourth Grade are flying the club flag proudly into the finals. A huge bonus point win in the final round over previous competition leaders Randwick saw them start the finals series as Minor Premiers! And with Saturday’s semi win against the Two Blues they now play this weekend for a spot in the Grand Final. This comes off an incredible winning streak of 12 games in a row - which is an all-time club record!
These guys and their support crew embody what it means to be Southern Districts Rebels - playing their guts out for their beloved club, and their mates, and loving every minute of it! There are over 1,800 club games in this group, the vast majority of whom are local juniors and Colts.
Congratulations to Damo, Tyno, Jordie, Boggsy and the team - we could not be any prouder of you all. Let’s get behind them in the run to the Grand Final and the Premiership proper!
Rugby Review
The 2022 Sydney Premiership Rugby competition across all grades is arguably the most competitive it has ever been in its long history, particularly in the Shute Shield first grade competition. Although our boys only won 3 games we were always very competitive, and could easily have posted enough wins to make the semi-finals.
Despite our final position on the Shute Shield ladder one of our favourite sons, Christian Kagiassis, came within a whisker of securing another Top Points Scorer, and likely would have won it if he had not had to withdraw from the final match of the season with injury. Well done Kags!
Further to that great effort one of our senior players Greg Foe had a storming finish to the season to finish 3rd in the Catchpole Medal for 2022. He came from nowhere, scoring an incredible 15 points in the last 7 games to secure third spot – congratulations Greg!
Off the back of a difficult few seasons, planning for the future has been underway for some time. Despite the obvious challenges of 2022 there is so much to be positive about going forward. Some weeks ago we assembled a rugby review committee consisting of Matt Barr (Interim Head Coach 2022), Tim Rapp (former Waratahs General Manager of Rugby) and myself. This committee has been reviewing the 2022 rugby program.
To that end we have been meeting with as many players as possible to gauge their intentions for next season, and to seek feedback on the season just finishing. There have been some very candid discussions, and some powerful themes have emerged. These insights are being used to shape the way forward for the club as we build for the future.
We have also advertised on social media and on dedicated recruitment websites for the Head Coach and Assistant Coach roles for 2023 and beyond. Overwhelming response has seen 34 applications for the Head Coach role from 8 countries. Many of these are very high calibre indeed. There is a detailed process underway, and we expect to be able to make some announcements in the coming weeks.
Strategic Review
All organisations need to pause, take stock, and re-set from time-to-time. Utilising the services of a highly credentialed and recommended strategic consultant Brian Mooney (who has worked with rugby groups around the world, including the Waratahs and Rugby Australia) we recently had a very productive initial workshop where we discussed what is best for rugby in the district for all.
We agreed on bringing together more of the district’s rugby people in the near future to ensure everyone has a voice, and we are all aligned, in this significant “Rugby Re-Set” as we plan for sustainable Southern Districts success in 2023 and beyond.
Thanks
Finally, on behalf of the club I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of the people who have supported the club through a difficult time. People that have stayed the course, people that have come back to assist, people that have stepped up time and again in whatever way they contribute in our community. Players, coaches, managers, strength & conditioners, medical staff, sponsors, members, Favourite Sons, grounds people, board members…. And more. I would love to name you all but there are simply too many. Thank you.
Southern Districts has been around for 33 years and, in one form or another, for 116 years. We have been through some tough times across the decades, and we have always come out the other side in better shape. The people, the heart, the DNA of this club and this community will ensure this continues. I have every confidence that the current reviews and planning discussions will see the club set up to flourish well into the future, starting in 2023.
All the best fourth grade - go get it!
And once that is done everyone across our club will have earned a break over the summer – enjoy!
And be sure to rest up - because 2023 is going to be huge….
Brad Devine
President
