Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has applauded the valuable contribution from Wests Group Macarthur for the 2025 season following their move to extend their funding agreement to $400,000 per season which will help families save $60 per Junior Rugby League participant.
The arrangement, which 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 Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden attended the cheque presentation with Wests Group Macarthur Chief Executive Daniel Perkiss and Chairperson Alan Buxton, Wests Tigers Junior Rugby League Chairman Daniel Draper and Group 6 Junior Rugby League Chairman Mark Dooner, while Daley sent a message of support.
“I had the pleasure recently of visiting Wests Group Macarthur venues and speaking to their Chief Executive Daniel Perkiss about the Rugby League nursery in their area,” Daley said.
“Junior Clubs are the lifeblood of everything that happens in Rugby League, and I thank all the stakeholders connected to the Macarthur and Group 6 Regions for their ongoing support.
“The future looks bright at Wests Tigers, with local juniors Lachlan Galvin (Eagle Vale), Justin Matamua (Campbelltown City) and Tallyn Da Dilva (Easts Campbelltown) progressing through their pathways, and I wish them all the best for the 2025 season.”
Trodden said: “The funding contribution by Wests Group Macarthur is significant and plays a decisive role in helping to keep Junior Rugby League players in our game for families who are struggling with the cost of living.
“I thank Chair Alan Buxton, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Perkiss and the rest of the Board who continue to believe in the role our sport plays to enhance healthy communities, and the role strong junior participation plays for future player development and pathways in Rugby League.”
The funding commitment to Macarthur Rugby League Community is made via the ClubGRANTS scheme. The scheme supports 23 Clubs from Campbelltown, Liverpool, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee and includes 500 teams and about 9,000 players.
Wests Group Macarthur has increased funding from $350,000 last year to $400,000 in 2025 in recognition of cost pressures on families, the growth of participants in the region, and the increasing operational expenses tied to inflation.
It aims to provide cost relief to families and alleviate registration and game-day costs through insurance subsidies and apparel rebates for about 6,000 junior Rugby League participants, with funding also extending toward the covering costs associated with referee fees.
Wests Tigers JRL Chairman Daniel Draper said: “The continued growth we have seen in the region can be attributed to the continued and increased funding the area receives from Wests Group Macarthur. This funding ensures our clubs can continue to provide a great value for money product for families and players.”
Group 6 Junior Rugby League Chairman Mark Dooner said: “This increase in support isn't just about dollars; it's about investing in the heart of the Macarthur region, fuelling growth, opportunity, and a brighter future for our Rugby League community.”
Wests Group Macarthur Chairman Alan Buxton said: “Since our inception in 1974, Rugby League has been at the heart of everything we do.
“Supporting the past, present, and future of the game in Macarthur is a privilege we hold dear, and we are thrilled to see the local conference reach new heights in 2025. Thanks to our dedicated members, we are proud to provide funding through our ClubGRANTS Program, alongside vital community development and support initiatives.
“We are thrilled to partner with NSWRL to make this exciting announcement. Standing alongside representatives from our local junior clubs, our local NRL team, and the passionate Wests Tigers supporters in Campbelltown, we have no doubt that the future of Rugby League in this region is bright.”
Western Suburbs Leagues Club, the flagship venue in Wests Group portfolio, has a historic connection with Rugby League and the Group 6 Rugby League competition – the club was originally built to support Campbelltown’s oldest Rugby League team, the Campbelltown City Kangaroos with origins to 1908.
The region has a great track record of producing Rugby League talent including Wests Tigers products Galvin (Eagle Vale St Andrews/Camden Rams/Mt Annan Knights), Da Silva (Easts Campbelltown), Matamua (Campbelltown City Kangaroos), and Heath Mason (Thirlmere Roosters), and True Blue James Tedesco (Camden Rams) from Group 6.
