Following the 2021 Junior Council Meeting, despite a few clubs being unavailable, some key decisions regarding the 2022 Junior Competition and Representative Programs.
 
The 2022 Junior Competition will start on Sunday 1st May 2022 as Term 2 begins. The competition will include:

• U6s Touch
• U8s Tackle
• U10s Tackle
• U12s Tackle
• U13s Girls Tackle 7s
• U14s Boys Tackle
• U15s Girls Tackle 7s
• U16s Boys Tackle
• U17s Girls Tackle 7s
• U18s Boys Tackle
• Various Touch 7s Age Groups

 
SIRU is working closely with the Clubs who will be entering Touch 7s teams in 2022 to determine the appropriate age groups after there were age groups with limited teams in 2021.
 
SIRU is also working with the Clubs who could not attend to determine how the Schedule should be structured. SIRU is considering entering additional rounds for some of the older age groups (U12s and above) as per several requests from 2021 members through the online surveys.
 
SIRU also must consider the addition of a Junior Girls Representative Program in 2022.
After the success of the 2021 Junior Boys Representative Program, including a tournament win by the U12s team, SIRU Junior Girls will have an opportunity to play alongside the Boys teams at the Southern States Championships hosted in ACT during the July School Holidays.
SIRU is aiming to host two Representative camps for both Boys and Girls early in the season, so they are well prepared for the Southern States Championships in July.
 
SIRU Junior Clubs will once again have an opportunity to play in a 7s carnivals across multiple age groups and both genders when Brumbies Rugby bring Super 7s to Wagga in November 2022 once again after not occurring in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
 
Registrations for 2022 are now open, so keep an eye on your Club’s Social Media to see when and how to register.

Following the 2021 SIRU Senior Council Meeting held on Saturday 11th December 2021, a number of key decisions have been made regarding the upcoming year.
 
The 2022 season will feature 18 Rounds, beginning on Saturday 2nd April, and concluding on Saturday 13th August.
2022 SIRU Grand Finals will be held on Saturday 3rd September.
Two General Byes will occur during the season, aligning with the Easter and June Long Weekends.
 
SIRU is still working closely with Clubs to determine the final team entries, but with there likely to be 9-10 teams in one grade, 18 Regular Season rounds will occur so all teams will play each other twice.
 
SIRU will once again enter a Men’s team into the Brumbies Provincial Championship, however with Brumbies expanding this program, SIRU will also enter a Women’s team in 2022. This is the first 15-a-side Women’s SIRU team since their tour to Newcastle in 2019.
Following this event, a Brumbies Country Men’s and Women’s team will be selected, who will play against Brumbies City (featuring players from the John I Dent Cup and Premier XVs Women’s competitions in Canberra) following the SIRU Season in September. For the Women’s players, this is their best trial opportunity for the Brumbies Super W Squad, whilst the Men’s players will be aiming to feature in the ACT & SNSW Griffins squad that will travel to SA in October to compete in the Australian Rugby Shield.
A great pathway for all Senior athletes, and we look forward to being part of it in 2022.
 
SIRU will open nominations for Representative Staff in January.
 
Following the traditional Winter Season, SIRU 7s will be making a return after its successful inauguration in 2020. Two tournaments will occur either side of the October Long Weekend (Saturday 24th September and Saturday 8th October). SIRU will be accepting 8 x Men’s and 8 x Women’s teams to compete, with exceptions to this made if additional teams wish to compete. Venues will be confirmed closer to the tournament dates.
 
Details are yet to be confirmed, but SIRU is hoping to be given the opportunity to enter a Men’s and Women’s Representative 7s team into the Capital 7s competition again following their success in 2020 (Women’s crowned Champions).

Following the SIRU AGM held on Saturday 10th December 2021, SIRU is pleased to announce the incoming board ahead of the 2022 seasons.

Firstly, thank you to Liam Krautz for his services in 2021. As a well regarded Senior player within our zone, Liam was valued in his ability to provide a different perspective to discussions during 2021.

Secondly, congratulations to Tom Martin who will take on a Director role in 2022. Tom Martin spent many years as a Development Officer within SIRU, and will provide new energy and perspective to the SIRU Board in 2022.

​Finally, congratulations to the other six members of the SIRU Board who were re-elected on Saturday.

2022 SIRU Board:

• President – Warwick Grant
• Vice-President (Snrs) – Bart Challacombe
• Vice-President (Jnrs) – Paul Spain
• Director – Brendon Reynolds
• Director – Will Reynolds
• Director – Sam McLeod
• Director – Tom Martin

Both the Senior and Junior Council Meetings were held on Saturday also, SIRU will be making more announcements in the coming days.