Grassroots clubs, volunteers and officials from across the state have been recognised in the NRL's fourth "Back to the Juniors" weekend.
The annual community-focused event celebrates the fantastic contribution that volunteers make to Rugby League every weekend, along with the code's 175,000 junior league players.
The NRL, NSWRL and NRL clubs were out in force to lend a helping hand at junior and grassroots Rugby League grounds, with almost 150 NRL and state league staff attending junior matches. They completed work such as helping to mark out fields, assist at BBQs, run water, act as ground managers, table officials, touch judges and providing assistance to young referees. A number of NRL clubs also got involved, including the St George Illawarra Dragons, who visited 16 of the Illawarra's junior league clubs, and the Newcastle Knights, who visited 12 local junior clubs.
"It’s a great chance for our players to head back to the junior clubs and give back to the kids who have grown up around, and who play, rugby league," Dragons Community Officer Adam Bezzina told Dragons.com.au.
"The opportunity for these junior players to meet their heroes is another important aspect of the 'Back 2 Juniors' – our players really enjoy getting out there to see the kids."
