RUGBY league is in a healthy state in regional New South Wales, including the Far South Coast Group 16 competition, with Country Rugby League recording increased participation for the second successive year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
CRL operations manager Bert Lowrie was thrilled to announce YTD registrations for the 2019 season junior league had already reached 60,092, surpassing last year's total of 59,405 and acknowledged all of those involved.
"The release of our participation statistics validates the fantastic work being done by clubs, administrators, coaches, volunteers, development officers and staff across regional NSW and we would like to thank them for all their hard work," Lowrie said.
"The most pleasing part about it is the increase in the 13-18 year-old male age bracket, because an increase there hasn't happened for quite some time.
"Our women's participation continues to grow in all formats, including women's league tag, women's tackle and CRL nines.
"CRL are working together with the NRL and state leagues on the creation of a player development framework, with the aim of driving greater levels of participation growth in the game's future."
New South Wales Rugby League participation has also increased, reaching 41,814 at the end of last month and there is another three weeks of potential registrations, with players still able to register until June 30.