History
Matches played by suburban or sub-district clubs began in 1869 as the City and Suburban competition. Some of the original clubs were Petersham (who still exist today), Manly Federals, the Warrigals and Wentworth. Most of these clubs fielded one team and the competition received coverage in the Sydney Morning Herald under "Other matches".
The Kentwell Cup was presented by W.H. Kentwell of the Mosman club in 1923 and is still presented to the first grade premiers in first division. The first winners of the Kentwell Cup out of a field of eight was Mosman. The most recent winners of the Kentwell Cup were Drummoyne in 2012. The Burke Cup was presented in 1923 by James A. Burke, a clubmate of Kentwell and is contested by second grade teams in first division. The Whiddon Cup was inaugurated in 1933 by Horace Whiddon of the Briars Club and is awarded to third grade premiers.
The competition became known as the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union in 1990. In 1993, the second division of the district competition was absorbed into Subbies and in that year 18 clubs contested the Kentwell Cup. Today the top three Divisions each have ten clubs and promotion and relegation is based on club championship results down to Third Division promotion. Drummoyne, Mosman, University of NSW and Hornsby are former district clubs now competing in Subbies.
Most current clubs are based on a local community, links with schools or voluntary groups. Old Ignatians, St Patricks, Barker Old Boys, Knox Old Boys, Waverley, Kings Old Boys and Oakhill are or were based on ex-students of schools and the Bronte and Manly Savers clubs are composed of members of surf lifesaving clubs.
Problems with 4th Division Competition
There have been problems in recent years fielding a 4th Division competition (clubs with 3 grade teams). 4th Division was disbanded after the 2008 season, where only six clubs participated, and was further weakened with the withdrawal of two of the 3rd grade teams.
The 4th Division was resurrected in 2011, again with six clubs, but again was afflicted with the withdrawal of two 3rd grade teams, although a Halligan Cup team - Colleagues Convicts - stepped up into the grade. 2012 was again played without a 4th division competition.
Read more about this topic: New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union
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