The ongoing success of the RISE junior development program has seen numbers swell by more than 50 per cent this season to 2600 as participants gear up for gala days to be held in the next two months where they will be encouraged to put their new-found skills to the test.
The RISE Program started in NSW in 2022 and provides aspirational Junior Rugby League players and coaches with an avenue to obtain specialised training and education in areas on and off the field including diet, mental health and training.
The program is spearheaded in NSW by former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs premiership-winning hooker Adam Perry. The number of participants has grown from 1700 last year to 2600 in 2025 and that number will increase even further with the Sydney Roosters to run a program across November and December.
The gala days, starting this weekend (20-21 September), will be held at locations across the state including Raymond Terrace, Coffs Harbour, Narooma, Muswellbrook, Albion Park, Junee and Campbelltown.
“With the RISE program continuing to grow across the state, it is a bonus that we are able to offer on top of that an opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt throughout the course of their season,” Perry said.
“The RISE Gala Days have proved to be a success in the past and the main idea of the day is for everyone to get out there and have fun playing some footy.”
RISE PROGRAM GALA DAYS
September
Saturday 20
Raymond Terrace (Central Coast and Hunter)
Coffs Harbour (Group 18, Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3)
Sunday 21
Narooma (Group 16 and Canberra)
Coffs Harbour (Group 18, Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3)
Saturday 27
Muswellbrook (Group 21, Group 19 and Group 4)
Albion Park (Cronulla, St George, Illawarra and Group 7)
Junee (Group 9 North, Group 9 South and Group 20)
Minchinbury (Penrith, Parramatta, Canterbury, St George (14’s) and NSWRL Centre of Excellence)
October
Saturday 11
St Gregory’s, Campbelltown (Balmain, WTM and Group 6) – Tyrone Collins
