Illawarra commit to the NSW Cup in 2012

[fitz]

Illawarra commit to the NSW Cup in 2012
Illawarra Rugby League & St George Illawarra Media
15/09/2011 3:14:24 PM

The Illawarra Rugby League, Illawarra Steelers and Dragons announced on Wednesday a unique partnership with the formation and entry of an Illawarra team into the NSW Rugby League Cup competition for 2012.

The team will be known as “Illawarra” and (while a team logo has yet to be confirmed), it can be confirmed that the colours will be the District’s traditional “Scarlet and White”.

The Illawarra team will be looking to play their home matches at WIN Stadium and will be able to utilise contracted players from both the Dragons NRL squad and NYC Under 20’s team while also offering Illawarra Carlton League players the opportunity.

The Dragons have been looking to establish a long-term partnership to provide the highest quality of playing opportunities for their extended squad and believe it is now the time and place to support a regional Illawarra initiative.

“The Dragons have been keen to support the NSW Cup and its position in the infrastructure of rugby league in NSW South Wales,” said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.

"The Illawarra region is a strong hold of rugby league and we believe this initiative is timely and appropriate."

Sean O'Connor, Chair of the Football Management Sub-Committee added:

"It is fitting that we are able to announce this partnership in the Illawarra Rugby League's Centenary year. To have the full endorsement of the joint venture partners in this initiative is further evidence of our shared vision.

"We will work closely with the Dragons to ensure an integrated pathway for talented footballers in the Illawarra."

The Illawarra team will be coached by former Australian New South Wales and Dragons centre Paul McGregor, who recently guided Wests Illawarra in the Carlton League to their third consecutive Premiership. McGregor will be assisted by former Dragons hooker Shane Millard.

"I am looking forward to the next challenge in my coaching career and to be able to do that with an Illawarra district team in the NSW Cup is fantastic,” said Head Coach Paul McGregor.

“I am excited about the opportunity and the role this squad will play in the development of players in the Illawarra”.

Furthermore, Dragons Junior Representative and High Performance Manager Neil Lovett will be in charge of the team’s administration while Steelers Deputy Chairman Sean O’Connor will chair the team’s Football Management Sub-Committee which will also include the Chairman of the Carlton League Ian Neill, Steelers Director Graeme Gulloch and representatives of the Dragons.

The Illawarra team will serve as the official Dragons “feeder club”, to enable the St George and Illawarra Harold Matthews and S.G. Ball teams to participate in their respective NSW Rugby League competitions in 2012 and beyond.

The key to the long-term success of the Illawarra team and brand are key sponsorship relationships and other key partnership opportunities, which will be developed as the partnership grows.

Return to this page tomorrow to view the full press conference from today's announcement

Source: http://nswrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=...title=illawarra-commit-to-the-nsw-cup-in-2012

 

[snowman]

give em the taste of steel

 

[deep blue jaws]

give em the taste of steel

come along mighty wollongong, we're the illawarra steelers.
you can't go wrong, when you sing this song, gonna give em the taste of steel!

 

[Ramzyv1]

Somewhat happy for the Illawarra region and it is good for the game but still, I mostly just feel irritated as it gives the Dragons more access to juniors they do not deserve since they have basically just taken over the Steelers and poached their juniors.

 

[JimBob]

Good to see them strengthen the NSW Cup also good for the Illawarra region.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Bring back the Steeler. I really hope they bring it back as the Illawarra Steelers. Awesome.

 

[Gow's Scissors]

Left field.... but why is this in the sharks forum?

 

[Illawarra Shark]

If it means I can go watch our NSW Cup side pump them with little travel, I'm happy

 

[CrazyMatt]

Left field.... but why is this in the sharks forum?

Its League news. Why not?

 

[SF]

Left field.... but why is this in the sharks forum?

I'm guessing it's because our biggest rival is going to see a new revival of Illawarra Steelers identity. It'd be a long way off from causing them issues, but you never know.

 

[snowman]

I'm guessing it's because our biggest rival is going to see a new revival of Illawarra Steelers identity. It'd be a long way off from causing them issues, but you never know.

im happy the steelers identity is back, in some form

the other thing it will do, is give a place for the youngin, and the good players in the illawarra league a chance to play and get exposure...

we should be watching them play, constantly
the illawarra is a great catchment of footy talent

i watched a carlton league game, thirroul v wests

wests have a 21 year old center named blake jackson, scored 5 tries... in the first half

 

[Art Vandelay]

good for the nsw cup.

that comp is retro as BTW

Norths
Newtown
Illawarra

cool.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

I think it should be retro. I like it like that.

 

[snowman]

wests are in the league as well?

more teams in the nswcup is a good thing... i would still like a reserve grade system, like the 20's in place

 

[Sharky Pete]

wests are in the league as well?

more teams in the nswcup is a good thing... i would still like a reserve grade system, like the 20's in place

So do I but I like the retro feel of the NSW Cup.

It should be a stand alone comp to recreate the old rivalries.

 

[Mr Ryan]

I think this is a great decision. They used to use Shellharbour as their feeder team, but if ya gonna have a feeder team in the Illawarra then who better to use then the Illawarra Steelers.

If you remember in the first year of the merger both St George and Illawarra played seperately in reserve grade. They scrapped that in year 2 to save costs.

When you consider that St George Illawarra is bascially St George (they r to me), I think its only fair that the reserve grade team is the Steelers.

 

[slide rule]

The Steelers- They were cool before they sold out.

 

[SHARKSTER]

I like the Steelers being represented in NSW Cup. It is great that side of the merged scum get some recognition. No doubt St Merge also have realised that since their feeders in the Illawarra finished playing weeks ago, their back up players for the NRL side are not getting game time. This will hurt them this finals series...I hope!

 

[snowman]

im glad they named mcgregor as coach as well

i have always thought he would make it in the coaching game

 

[dylan the villian]

I love the nswcup and am a massive fan, stoked to see illawara back, cronulla, maggies, wests, bears, jets! More teams the better I say!