WESTS POWERING UP MACARTHUR LEAGUE Huge win for rugby league

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

THE future of Rugby League in the Macarthur region is in great hands with a boundless future judging by a recent event hosted by the Wests Group Macarthur in Campbelltown.

Wests made a $330,000 commitment to Macarthur Rugby League for 2023 and none other than NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler represented the NRL at the presentation.

It meant Wests Group Macarthur will continue to power the grassroots Rugby League conference across the Macarthur region with the execution of the $330,000 partnership agreement of the combined Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League and Group 6 Rugby League conference for the upcoming 2023 season.

In its second year, the $330,000 commitment via the ClubGRANTS scheme will once again support 23 Clubs covering Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee LGA’S.

The conference comprised of more than 500 teams and 7000 players, continues to represent the largest financial commitment to any sporting code made by Wests Group Macarthur.

The funding prioritises cost relief to families with Insurance subsidies available for every participant, rebates offered on socks and shorts and the covering of referee fees to help alleviate registration and game day costs on families that are playing in Junior Rugby League. Funding also extends to projects that help promote positive Rugby League pathways.

This includes player development and volunteer training programs, marketing and promotion initiatives, special events including gala days and finals series and sponsorship of the Andrew johns under 16’s and Laurie Daley Cup rep teams.

Not only does the partnership represent equivalent savings per family of $30 per participant, Wests also acts a backbone of the league through in-kind activity supporting meetings, events and the inclusion of Macarthur Rugby League within the Wests Sports Council.

Many positives

The Macarthur region is now the second largest grassroots Rugby League network in NSW -second only to Penrith-, with the vision of providing future growth opportunities and pathways to unearth the next Rugby League superstars.

Chairman of the Wests Tigers JRL Board Daniel Draper said: “The renewal of the Wests Group Macarthur funding is a huge win for Rugby League in the region. Last season had many positives and 2023 is certainly looking bigger and better once again thanks to Wests Group Macarthur.”

Chairman of Group 6 Junior Rugby League, Mark Dooner said: “The support Wests Group Macarthur is giving Rugby League is evident in the continued rise of playing numbers across the region leading into the 2023 season. The partnership with Wests Group Macarthur plays a huge role in providing support for all competitions from our youngest players all the way through to our successful conference competitions.”

NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said he was grateful for the continued support from Wests Group Macarthur for one of the fastest-growing areas of Rugby League.

Chairman of Wests Group Macarthur Alan Buxton said: “Rugby League has been the beating heart of Wests Group Macar- thur since inception in 1974. 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 2023.”

At the heart of Western Suburbs League Club, the flagship venue in Wests Group portfolio, 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 with origins back to 1908.

And the region has a great track record of producing Rugby League talent including David Nofoaluma (Campbelltown Warriors), True Blues Ryan Hoffman (Campbelltown Collegians), Anthony Minichiello (East Valley United) from Macarthur as well as James Tedesco (Camden Rams) from Group 6.