The NSWRL has welcomed the continued investment from Wests Group Macarthur across the Macarthur Region with a $350,000 funding arrangement for the 2024 season helping to save families $60 per Junior Rugby League participant.
The funding arrangement, which first started in 2022 and remains the largest financial commitment made to a sporting code by Wests Group Macarthur, was announced today at half-time of the NRL match between Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra Dragons at Campbelltown Stadium.
NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden, who attended the cheque presentation with Wests Group Macarthur Daniel Perkiss and Chairperson Alan Buxton, Wests Tigers Junior Rugby League Chairman Daniel Draper and Group 6 Junior Rugby League Chairman Mark Dooner, thanked Wests Group Macarthur for their ongoing support for the game and the community.
“I thank 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,” Trodden said.
Chairman of Wests Group Macarthur Alan Buxton said: “Rugby League has been the beating heart of Wests Group Macarthur since its inception in 1974.
“Being able to support the past, present, and future of the game within Macarthur is a privilege we take seriously, and we are pleased to see the local conference continue to grow in 2024. 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.
“We are also privileged that thanks to our members we can deliver funding via our ClubGRANTS community development and support activities programs.”
The funding deal, which is made via the ClubGRANTS scheme, will support 23 clubs, more than 500 teams and more than 8100 players in the combined Macarthur Conference Competition involving Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League and Group 6 Rugby League. The area encompasses the local government areas of Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee.
Wests Group Macarthur have increased the level of funding in 2024 in recognition of the cost pressure on families, the growth of participants in the region, and the increasing operational expenses tied to inflation.
It will assist families with registrations and game day costs, insurance subsidies, shorts and socks rebates, and referees fees.
Chairman of the Wests Tigers JRL Board Daniel Draper said: “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.
“This commitment goes a long way to aiding families to more affordable, easy, well administered access to rugby league in the region.”
Chairman of the Group 6 Junior Rugby League Mark Dooner said: “Once again, the Macarthur Conference allows more efficient competitions for players of varying ability and better opportunity for recruitment and retention of current players, and plays a significant role in providing a successful Conference competition in the Macarthur Region.”
NSWRL is the governing body for Group 6 and Wests Tigers Macarthur JRL, with the Macarthur Region remaining one of the state’s largest growth areas for participation.
There has already been a 15 per cent increase on a year-to-date for both senior and junior participation figures in 2023, with males up 10.5 per cent and females 36.7 per cent.
The area has produced Rugby League talent including Westpac NSW Blues captain James Tedesco (Camden Rams), Wests Tigers five-eighth Lachlan Galvin (Eagle Vale St Andrews/Camden Rams/Mt Annan Knights), and True Blues Ryan Hoffman (Campbelltown Collegians) and Anthony Minichiello (East Valley United).
