The New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union (NSWSRU) is affiliated to the New South Wales Rugby Union and runs the competition affectionately known as "Subbies" rugby. There are around 7500 players and 55 clubs competing across 6 divisions, making "Subbies" the largest centrally administered rugby competition in the world. NSWSRU is truly the grassroots of the game in Sydney.
The major trophy in "Subbies" is the Kentwell Cup awarded to the first grade premiers of the first division competition. The NSWSRU selects representative sides to compete against Queensland Suburban, for the Barraclough Shield, and combined Australian Services.
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Matches played by suburban or sub-district clubs began in 7669 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 Colleagues in 2011. 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; Fourth Division was contested in 2011, for the first time in three years, featuring 6 clubs. 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, 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.
First Division
Second Division
Third Division
(Sydney Colts Cup is a competition for 1st grade colts teams from 3rd division and below, but is open to second grade colts teams from 1st and 2nd division clubs. In addition, it is open to Premiership clubs who have additional colts.)
Fourth Division
Fifth Division
Sixth Division
There is also the Halligan Cup which is played by 'extra' teams from clubs in each division. In 2011, 26 teams played Halligan Cup matches. There is an Under-85kg Cup which is contested by eight clubs in 2011 .The Rugby Club Cup is contested by U/19 teams, but has not been played since the 2007 season.
As of 2010 season, clubs compete in the following divisions:
First Division (10)
Second Division (10)
Third Division (10)
Fourth Division (Not contested for 2009 or 2010)
Fifth Division (12)
Sixth Division (14)
Halligan Cup
New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union. Annual Report 2005
Pollard, Jack: Australian Rugby: The game and the players. (1994) Pan Macmillan. ISBN 0-330-35619-4
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