Victorian rugby participation numbers are nearing record numbers, with 30 clubs across the state.
NRL Victoria general manager Brent Silva said the increase in both junior and senior numbers this year is positive news for the health and development of rugby league across the state.
“We know we have a great game to play and enjoy for under-sixes through to adults,” he said.
“It’s really pleasing and encouraging to see more and more people are getting out to their local club and signing on as a rugby league player.”
Mr Silva said more than 250 clubs teams will be taking part in the metropolitan Storm Premiership and Storm Junior League competitions.
“We are growing statewide with 30 clubs across Victoria, including a new club in the Geelong Sharks who have junior and senior teams in our metro competitions this year,” he said.
“We’re on track for record participation numbers, beating our previous best season in 2019 when we had more than 4400 registered rugby league players.
“This is all occurring thanks to the on-going work from our dedicated club volunteers and officials, the NRL, NRL Victoria and our home state NRL club, the Melbourne Storm, who have been great supporters of growing the local game.”
The first taste of rugby league for juniors comes in the Storm Junior League which covers under-six to under-18 age groups for both boys and girls.
A non-contact ‘tag’ version of the game is played by the under-sixes and sevens before they graduate to a modified tackle game played under a ‘safe pl0ay code’.
This year’s Storm Premiership includes Sunbury Tigers stepping up to men’s first grade, two new teams in the men’s second grade competition and five new teams in men’s third grade.
Five clubs, including newcomers Casey Warriors and Sunshine Cowboys, will field teams in the women’s first grade competition.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said the Storm Junior League and Storm Premiership is part of a clear pathway that now existed for young rugby league players in Victoria.
“We are very proud with the connections we have formed with NRL Victoria from the Storm Junior League through to the Storm Premiership and, for the elite juniors looking to have a career in the game in the NRL, our new Storm Academy,” he said.
“The game is good health in Victoria and all of the stakeholders are focused on making rugby league an even more popular choice for both youngsters and adults.”
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