Record Contribution to Grassroots Rugby League

If you run the ruler over current and former NRL stars, chances are most of them were supported in their junior playing days by a registered club.

The Campbelltown region in Sydney’s southwest has produced some of the biggest household names in rugby league, including Anthony Minichiello, James Tedesco and Ryan Hoffman.

Each played for East Valley United, Camden Rams and Collegians respectively, ably supported by their local registered club.

And Wests Group Macarthur wants to ensure the region is at the forefront of nurturing the stars of the future, making their biggest ever contribution to grassroots rugby league, with a $350,000 injection of funds to support 23 clubs, almost 500 teams and 8500 players.

The commitment recognises the cost-of-living pressure on families, the growth of participants in the region and the increasing operational expenses tied to inflation.

The funding, made via the ClubGRANTS scheme, will alleviate registration and game day costs by subsidising the cost of insurance, and will provide shorts and socks rebates for participants, as well as pay for referee fees.

“Rugby league has been the beating heart of Wests Group Macarthur since inception in 1974,” says Wests Group Macarthur Chairman Alan Buxton.

“It is fitting as we celebrate 50 years in this community in 2024 that we remain steadfast in our focus to grow and foster rugby league in the region.”

The Macarthur region is now the second-largest grassroots rugby league network in NSW, second only to Penrith, with the funding seen as a way to provide future growth opportunities and pathways to unearth the next rugby league star.

“Rugby league has been the beating heart of Wests Group Macarthur since inception in 1974” — Wests Group Macarthur Chairman Alan Buxton

“Wests Group Macarthur have been on the journey with us for many years with their gracious support to our community and we thank them for their continued support,” says Wests Tigers Junior Rugby League Board Chair Daniel Draper.

“This commitment goes a long way to aiding families to more affordable, easy, well-administered access to rugby league in the region.”

The funding was announced as part of an official launch at Campbelltown Stadium ahead of the Tigers home game against the Dragons on Sunday, 14 April.

Around 80 junior rugby league players from across the greater Macarthur region participated in pre-game mini-games and half-time relays run with the NSW Rugby League, NRL and Wests Tigers community team.

“Sincere thanks to Chairperson Alan Buxton, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Perkiss and the rest of the Board who continue to not only believe in the role our sport plays to enhance healthy communities but also the role strong junior participation plays for future player development and pathways in rugby league,” says NSW Rugby League CEO David Trodden.