Wrighty
Contributor
My attention is captured by this development. Here is CHAT GPTs comments.
If Balmain split with Wests and join the South Island Keas what can Balmain bring to the table in terms of a pathways juniors system vs what is owned by Wests. Who owns the Balmain/wests NSW cup team for example out of the two of them. What could Balmain offer the Keas in terms of Australian raised prospects.
The split between Balmain and Wests and a potential merger with the South Island Kea raises several questions about junior pathways, ownership of feeder teams, and player development. Here's how things might break down:
If Balmain does join the Kea, they would need to develop strategies to bolster player development, perhaps by establishing partnerships with other clubs or creating new pathways in Christchurch and Sydney.
If Balmain split with Wests and join the South Island Keas what can Balmain bring to the table in terms of a pathways juniors system vs what is owned by Wests. Who owns the Balmain/wests NSW cup team for example out of the two of them. What could Balmain offer the Keas in terms of Australian raised prospects.
ChatGPT said:
The split between Balmain and Wests and a potential merger with the South Island Kea raises several questions about junior pathways, ownership of feeder teams, and player development. Here's how things might break down:
1. Junior Pathways System Comparison: Balmain vs. Wests
- Balmain Pathways:
- Historically, Balmain has a smaller junior district compared to Wests. Their base includes areas such as the Inner West suburbs of Sydney (Leichhardt, Drummoyne, and Rozelle).
- The number of junior clubs and participants in the Balmain district has declined over the years, reflecting challenges in maintaining a robust junior system.
- Balmain’s focus on rugby league at the grassroots level has been limited by its financial struggles, which might affect its ability to supply a consistent pool of NRL-caliber players.
- Wests Pathways:
- Wests has a much larger junior catchment area, including Campbelltown and the Macarthur region in Western Sydney.
- These areas have a rich tradition of rugby league talent and a growing population, making it one of the stronger pathways for developing juniors in NSW.
- Many successful NRL players, including those who played for the Wests Tigers, have come from this region.
2. Ownership of the NSW Cup Team
The Wests Tigers NSW Cup team is owned by the Wests Tigers joint venture rather than either faction independently. A split would likely require significant negotiation over the rights to this team:- If Wests assumes sole control of the joint venture's NSW Cup team: This would leave Balmain without an immediate presence in the second-tier competition, a significant disadvantage for any potential merger with the Kea.
- If Balmain retains a share of the NSW Cup team or establishes a new one: They would need to source players and funding, which could be challenging given their smaller resource base.
3. What Balmain Could Offer the Kea
- Heritage and Branding:
- Balmain is a foundation club with a rich history dating back to 1908. The Balmain Tigers brand still holds emotional and historical value, which could be appealing to NRL fans in Australia and New Zealand.
- Merging with Balmain could enhance the Kea's credibility and boost their chances of securing NRL approval, as linking with a legacy club like Balmain mirrors the Western Bears model.
- Player Development Opportunities:
- While Balmain has a smaller junior base, they could provide Australian-raised prospects by tapping into talent from Leichhardt Oval and surrounding areas.
- Partnering with Kea could help both clubs create a cross-regional pathway for Australian and Kiwi juniors, with Balmain potentially funneling talent from Sydney to Christchurch for further development.
- Fan Base and Sponsorships:
- The Balmain Tigers maintain a dedicated fan base, particularly in Sydney's Inner West. This support could translate into sponsorship deals and merchandise sales to strengthen the Kea's financial position.
Challenges for Balmain
Balmain's limited junior base and financial struggles mean their contribution would lean more on legacy, branding, and fan engagement rather than a robust junior system. Wests, on the other hand, retains a stronger claim to junior development systems and the NSW Cup team.If Balmain does join the Kea, they would need to develop strategies to bolster player development, perhaps by establishing partnerships with other clubs or creating new pathways in Christchurch and Sydney.
, but even so, MSS often didn't look as "Sold Out" as "Sold Out" should look, up until SJ's Last Hurrah) was based on pre-season "This is IT! OUR YEAR! Let's get SEASON TICKETS!" wild not-really-justified enthusiasm. 2025 will be very interesting as to the level of Not-Rusted-On-Fan engagement, JFH signing and performances notwithstanding..
