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. NSWSRU is truly the grassroots of the game in Sydney. The NSWSRU selects representative sides to compete against Queensland Suburban, for the Barraclough Shield, and New South Wales Country. Matches played by suburban or sub-district c
lubs 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 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.
