Grassroots rugby league in Macarthur was the winner on Sunday when Wests Tigers hosted the Dragons at Campbelltown Stadium in round six of the NRL.
The result did not go the way of the local fans, but a $350,000 Wests Group Macarthur boost to junior rugby league added to the carnival atmosphere created by the 17,141 fans who attended the game.
No fewer than 23 rugby league clubs across Campbelltown, Liverpool, Camden and Wingecarribee – that’s close to 500 teams and more than 8500 players – will benefit from what is the largest financial commitment by Wests Group Macarthur to any sporting code in the region.
In a region of significant population and participation growth – but also high disadvantage – Wests Group Macarthur have increased funding for 2024 in recognition of cost pressures on families, the rise in participant numbers and the increasing operational expenses caused by high inflation.
The aim is to provide cost relief to families and alleviate registration and game day costs with insurance subsidies and shorts and socks rebates for around 6,000 junior league participants.
Funding will also extend to covering referee fees.
It represents equivalent savings per family of $60 per junior league participant.
Wests Group Macarthur will also continue to provide in-kind activity support for meetings, events, vouchers, and the inclusion of Macarthur Rugby League within the Wests Sports Council.
Combined, Group 6 and Wests Tigers Macarthur JRL in the Macarthur region is now the second largest grassroots rugby league network in NSW, second only to Penrith.
The vision behind the dollars and cents is about providing future growth opportunities and pathways to unearth the next rugby league superstar right here in Macarthur.
The region has a great track record of producing Rugby League talent including new Wests Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin (Eagle Vale St Andrews/Camden Rams/Mt Annan Knights), Ryan Hoffman (Campbelltown Collegians), Anthony Minichiello (East Valley United) and James Tedesco (Camden Rams) from Group 6.
“Wests Group Macarthur have been on the journey with us for many years with their generous support to our community and we thank them for their continued support,’’ says Chairman of the Wests Tigers JRL Board Daniel Draper.
“This commitment goes a long way to aiding families to more affordable, easy, well-administered access to rugby league in the region.’’
At the heart of Western Suburbs League Club, the flagship venue in Wests Group Macarthur, is a historic connection with rugby league and the Group 6 Rugby League competition – with the club originally built to support Campbelltown’s oldest rugby league team, the Campbelltown City Kangaroos, which traces its origins back to 1908.
“Rugby League has been the beating heart of Wests Group Macarthur since inception in 1974,’’ says Alan Buxton, the current chairman.
“Being able to support the past, present, and future of the game within Macarthur is a privilege we take seriously, and we are pleased to see the local conference continue to grow in 2024.
“It is fitting as we celebrate 50 years in this community in 2024 that we remain steadfast in our focus to grow and foster rugby league in the region.
“We are also privileged that thanks to our members we can deliver funding via our Clubgrants community development and support activities programs.’’
