Junior grassroots development of rugby league in regional WA will help create more senior teams outside of the metropolitan area, according to NRL WA general manager John Sackson.
The last of the regional senior NRL teams, the South West Warriors, were dissolved a couple of years ago, forcing NRL WA to look at new ways of developing the game.
Sackson said development had to start with the juniors.
“Then you get the parents and siblings involved,” he said.
“Once we get the junior programs up and running, then you can implement umpiring and coaching programs.”
After developing strong competitions in Broome and the Pilbara, the organisation is looking to expand and bring the game to a wider regional audience.
Talks with stakeholders in Albany and Kalgoorlie have been promising, while the junior league in the South West is growing, with work still to be done through an increase in player and volunteer numbers.
“The South West is a huge priority for us in 2019,” Sackson said.
“We have marked the South West as a clear development area for the next year. We want to step up our presence there and support of the clubs, which are emerging.”
NRL WA has hired five development officers, who head to schools in regional WA and push the sport.
“We need to increase our presence and awareness of the game at school level,” Sackson said.
Optus Stadium will host WA’s first ever State of Origin game next year. Sackson believed the June 23 contest would help garner interest in the sport.
“That event will generate enormous media coverage and general interest throughout the whole State,” he said.
“Both teams, Queensland and New South Wales, will be conducting a fair amount of fan engagement, which is important for the development of the game in this State.”
Sackson said it would be a bit of time before another senior regional club entered the NRL WA competition.
“With the South West, we hope if we keep developing the juniors, then a senior will naturally develop over time,” he said.
“Another area we have our eye on is Geraldton. We are devising plans because they are of a relative proximity to our other clubs.”
https://thewest.com.au/news/regional/rugby-league-body-eyes-regional-expansion-ng-b881037210z
