NSWRL claims rise in rugby league participation

NSW Rugby League has announced that the sport has recorded increased participation for the second successive year.

Advising that the code is in “a healthy state” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden announced registrations for the 2019 Junior League season reached 41,814 as of last week, already surpassing last year’s final total of 41,753 with at least another five weeks of potential registrations still to be received.

Trodden advised "this is a fantastic result and it is a testament to the innovative approach of our organisation to introducing new formats of the game, as well as the hard work of our staff and volunteers across a lot of areas in our Junior Leagues.

“After a number of years of decline in participation we have now experienced growth for the second year in a row and that doesn’t happen by accident."

NSWRL General Manager - Football, Barrie-Jon Mather paid tribute to his staff, and the work they do in close association with NRL development officers, for successfully implementing some ground-breaking initiatives over the past few years which have contributed to the growth in participation.

Mather added “we have introduced a number of new formats of the game including Monarch Blues Tag - non-tackle, weight dispensation categories, all-girls competitions and Try League for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“In addition, we have had a focus on governance in our Junior Leagues with NSWRL staff dedicated to working closely with administrators in each district to provide the support they need to run safe and fun competitions for all.”

Participants are able to register to play rugby league until 30th June.