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Rugby player from Australia

  • 10-01-2013 11:31pm
    #1
    Joel88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭


    Hey guys - just came across this forum - I am a rugby player from Australia who is looking at playing rugby in Ireland during the 13/14 season. I am really needing to get an idea who good clubs to look at - I am looking for amauter/semi-professional clubs i.e match fees/job but I really dont have an idea where to start.

    Would be fantastic if anyone can give me abit of a run down on where to start.

    Cheers guys!!


Comments

  • #2
    durkadurka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,207 ✭✭✭durkadurka


    Where are you going to be living?

    Edit: welcome by the way!


  • #3
    Joel88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭Joel88


    durkadurka wrote: »
    Where are you going to be living?

    Edit: welcome by the way!

    Hey mate - to be honest I am not sure yet - and honestly would prob go where the rugby is.

    Thank you btw!


  • #4
    P_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,681 ✭✭✭✭P_1


    Well tbh, all the cities and most of the big towns would have rugby clubs. So wherever you move its more than likely that there'll be a club nearby.

    I presume you mean union and not league?

    EDIT: I see you're looking at clubs that might pay you. Have a look through

    www.leinsterrugby.ie
    www.munsterrugby.ie
    www.ulsterrugby.com
    www.connachtrugby.ie

    And have a look for some of the bigger clubs


  • #5
    CIARAN_BOYLE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    If you want to get paid the maximum amount that you can receive from an AIL club is 3,000 a year

    Not sure how many actually receive that. You would probably need to be playing division 1A or 1B

    Division 1A is based around Dublin Limerick and Cork at the moment


  • #6
    Teferi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,320 ✭✭✭Teferi


    CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »
    Not sure how many actually receive that.

    I was under the impression that match fees were fairly thin on the ground to be honest...


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  • #7
    Joel88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭Joel88


    So its really only the full professional teams that will pay players? I.e Munster, Ultser etc?

    I was prob looking for clubs a level down from the full professional clubs - still on a semi-professional contract but not a full professional i.e still working in a normal job.

    Where are the players coming from that feed into Munster etc? Are there bigger feeder clubs that these clubs work from?

    Thanks for the feedback!


  • #8
    [Jackass]
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    Joel88 wrote: »
    Hey guys - just came across this forum - I am a rugby player from Australia who is looking at playing rugby in Ireland during the 13/14 season. I am really needing to get an idea who good clubs to look at - I am looking for amauter/semi-professional clubs i.e match fees/job but I really dont have an idea where to start.

    Would be fantastic if anyone can give me abit of a run down on where to start.

    Cheers guys!!

    Welcome to the forum.

    A quick run down on the sport in Ireland, obviously you probably know of the professional teams, of which there are 4: Connacht, Leinster, Munster & Ulster - these being regional provinces of Ireland.

    The level below that is the All Ireland League (AIL) which is currently sponsored by Ulster bank, and may also be referred to as the Ulster Bank league.

    http://www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankleague/tables.php

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Ireland_League_%28rugby_union%29

    The league is wholely amature, however I am sure for senior 1sts players, there are at least expenses covered in the form of a small fee.

    The teams in this league act as feeder clubs to the professional sides also and once in a blue moon a player from the amature leagues is picked up by one of the professional teams.

    The highest level is split into 2 sections which play-off at the end of the season. There are 4 main rugby cities competing in the 1st division of the league, and in these cities there are:

    Blackrock, Clontarf, Lansdowne, Old Belvedere, St. Mary's & UCD all based in Dublin.

    Cork Con, Dolphin & UCC in Cork.

    Young Munster, Shannon, Garryowen, UL Bohemians & Bruff in Limerick.

    Ballymena & Belfast Harlequins in Belfast.

    The only teams based outside of these cities are Galwegians (Galway) Bucaneers (Athlone, Co. Westmeath), Ballynahinch (Co. Down) & Dungannon (Co. Tyrone).

    So perhaps your best bet would be to choose between those 4 main cities and clubs. (if you fancy your chances at one of the major teams). Galway is a lovely place too.

    Below that there are plenty more teams you can check out in the links provided.

    You could email some of those teams with queries you have, or to rugby development officers at any of the professional provinces who I am sure will be able to give you details on arrangements etc.

    Best of luck with it! Might see you wearing the green of Ireland one day soon, especially if you're a tighthead prop.


  • #9
    CIARAN_BOYLE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    Joel88 wrote: »
    So its really only the full professional teams that will pay players? I.e Munster, Ultser etc?

    I was prob looking for clubs a level down from the full professional clubs - still on a semi-professional contract but not a full professional i.e still working in a normal job.

    Where are the players coming from that feed into Munster etc? Are there bigger feeder clubs that these clubs work from?

    Thanks for the feedback!
    Pretty much. That said Munster/Ulster are bigger units then the typical superrugby team which has 32 fully contracted players.

    Munster Ulster Leinster have 40-45 fully professional players and 16-24 academy players

    Fringe professional players and academy players often line out for club teams

    Mainly players enter the academy from the schools/youths system (either directly or with a year of AIL rugby and U20 rugby under their belts)


  • #10
    Higher
    Site Banned Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭Higher


    Joel88 wrote: »
    So its really only the full professional teams that will pay players? I.e Munster, Ultser etc?

    I was prob looking for clubs a level down from the full professional clubs - still on a semi-professional contract but not a full professional i.e still working in a normal job.

    Where are the players coming from that feed into Munster etc? Are there bigger feeder clubs that these clubs work from?

    Thanks for the feedback!

    You'd be looking at playing in the AIL club league. Player's wages are generally from 300euros to 3,500euros a year depending on ability and the finances of the club. So semi-professional but you'll still need a job. Most of the top clubs train 10 hours a week though on top of games so it can take a lot out of you!

    Players that feed into the likes of Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connacht are generally brought into the teams from schools rugby however some do come from clubs, for example Shane Horgan and Sean O'Brien both came from clubs.

    Standard is actually getting very good, for example this season alone there are a huge number of former AIL players playing provincial rugby. Off the top of some examples are:
    Copeland, Au'vava, Sean O'Brien, Coughlan, Dundon, Matt Healy and Adam Byrne all came directly from AIL into provincial set ups.


  • #11
    gregers85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,357 ✭✭✭gregers85


    Most of the senior AIL clubs pay on on a week to week or match basis but its not big money ranging from 50 -150 approx depending on player and performance! you couldnt make a living from it but a nice bonus on top of your working wage! as was said above dublin, cork and limerick and probably the best places to go for it


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  • #12
    Higher
    Site Banned Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭Higher


    gregers85 wrote: »
    Most of the senior AIL clubs pay on on a week to week or match basis but its not big money ranging from 50 -150 approx depending on player and performance! you couldnt make a living from it but a nice bonus on top of your working wage! as was said above dublin, cork and limerick and probably the best places to go for it

    Most senior AIL clubs pay a lump sum at the start or end of the year. Not weekly in my experience. It also goes well above 150euros! If its a good club the wage of a player starting for the 1sts will usually start at 300euros and it will climb from there. I know guys playing for division 1B clubs on 500euros a year and they wouldn't even be the star players.


  • #13
    Losty Dublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,258 ✭✭✭✭Losty Dublin


    Joe, if you have played at a high level professionally in Oz and have badges you might pick up a few quid coaching a team, either at schools or junior level. Granted it will be pocket money level but it will be something to help you get by.


  • #14
    blindsider
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭blindsider


    @Joel88 - what position do you play? Occasionally, some are more sought after than others.

    Have you been to Ireland before? If not, I recommend chatting to a few players who have. It's quite a culture (well, weather) shock playing here for most Aussies. The pitches from November to February can be very poor and water-logged.

    Good players are always in demand, so it could be a fun year.

    Do you have a highlights reel? Might be worth thinking about - it'd help when talking to clubs.

    Best of luck!


  • #15
    awec
    Administrators Posts: 54,424 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    Out of sheer curiosity, what level did you play at in Australia?


  • #16
    JustinDee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,684 ✭✭✭JustinDee


    Joel88 wrote: »
    Hey guys - just came across this forum - I am a rugby player from Australia who is looking at playing rugby in Ireland during the 13/14 season. I am really needing to get an idea who good clubs to look at - I am looking for amauter/semi-professional clubs i.e match fees/job but I really dont have an idea where to start.

    Would be fantastic if anyone can give me abit of a run down on where to start.

    Cheers guys!!
    Which club are you with in Aussie? If you are of semi-pro status, whichever club you join here must register you as player here and notify your original club.


  • #17
    Joel88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭Joel88


    Hey guys - thanks for the posts -

    Will be putting together a highlights reel - I do think this is a must when looking at playing over-seas because really if you dont have this its just your written resume and your word...

    I play No.8/Flanker but also played alot of loosehead as a junior so if there was a need I would have acouple of extra steaks and move to the frontrow again.

    I have played 1st grade club level in Aus. In Aus the levels go 1st grade club > Super Rugby (i.e Brumbies) > Wallabies


  • #18
    Sindri
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,059 ✭✭✭Sindri


    Joel88 wrote: »
    Hey guys - thanks for the posts -

    Will be putting together a highlights reel - I do think this is a must when looking at playing over-seas because really if you dont have this its just your written resume and your word...

    I play No.8/Flanker but also played alot of loosehead as a junior so if there was a need I would have acouple of extra steaks and move to the frontrow again.

    I have played 1st grade club level in Aus. In Aus the levels go 1st grade club > Super Rugby (i.e Brumbies) > Wallabies

    If you have an Irish granny you just might make the Irish Team.


  • #19
    JustinDee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,684 ✭✭✭JustinDee


    Joel88 wrote: »
    Hey guys - thanks for the posts -

    Will be putting together a highlights reel - I do think this is a must when looking at playing over-seas because really if you dont have this its just your written resume and your word...

    I play No.8/Flanker but also played alot of loosehead as a junior so if there was a need I would have acouple of extra steaks and move to the frontrow again.

    I have played 1st grade club level in Aus. In Aus the levels go 1st grade club > Super Rugby (i.e Brumbies) > Wallabies
    Which club was it? There are a lot more connections between intl unions than you'd think. If you're ACT, I can think already of three players playing club here, one of which originally from here.
    I played grade CRL (mainly reserve grade but occasionally first) when I lived in Australia.


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