WAGGA'S four rugby league clubs have come together to launch an exciting new era for the code at junior level.
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An all new Wagga competition will kick off this year for under six through to under 10 in rugby league and leaguetag under the Group Nine juniors banner.
Kangaroos, Brothers, Turvey Park and Magpies will form an exclusive Wagga competition in a bid to reduce travel and boost numbers at the grass roots.
A key strategy in NSW Rugby League's (NSWRL) recently-released strategic plan was to reduce travel at junior level, something the Wagga clubs jumped at.
The relationship between the four junior clubs has never been better and they are all confident it is the right move for the future of the sport in Wagga.
"The idea has been around for a couple of years now and once NSW Rugby League put their recommendation of trying to limit the travel for non-competitive ages, that six to 10 age groups, not travelling more than 150 kilometres pretty much to play a game of footy, all the Wagga clubs got together, got on the front foot and started putting some plans into play," Brothers president Ted Wright explained.
"The reaction has been pretty positive I think, from parents and the club itself as well."
Wright said there was a simple reason behind the concept.
"To try and get more kids playing sport locally," he said.
"They don't have to travel the long distances. I'm not picking on Young and Harden and that but there's four hours travel in the day to go and play 10-15 minutes of football for a six-year-old that's pretty hard.
"So it's to try and get more kids active and playing sport locally and get involved. It takes the pressure off parents they don't have to drive far to get kids to play sport."
Kangaroos president Chris Jordan hopes all clubs can field two teams to begin with and expects numbers to grow in future years.
"It's been great that this strategic plan from NSWRL was to reduce travel and increase participation numbers and retention of players. This is great news for us in Wagga because we've been steering this way for about three years now," Jordan said.
"It was perfect timing for us. All four Wagga clubs have been working really well together for the last couple of years, we've all got the same vision to get rugby league really strong and boost numbers and increase the experience for players."
Magpies president Luke Hazel expects the move to boost numbers at his club.
"It makes plenty of sense. It makes it easier for parents, it's good for the game and the kids get to play as much footy at they can," Hazel said.
"I think it will boost numbers, definitely, especially in our junior teams. And then if our juniors grow, we can get a better senior comp in the long run.
"Numbers at Magpies are currently pretty good. We've grown in the last five years, which is great, but hopefully this grows it even more and we might be able to adapt and get a couple of teams in each age group rather than just having one like we normally have."
Turvey Park's Brendan Kennedy believes the move can only benefit the sport.
"I think it's going to be awesome for the club to get more kids involved," Kennedy said.
"Hopefully it benefits all the clubs really. We're struggling for numbers at the moment, especially from last year, we missed out on a couple of grades so hopefully this can provide us with a bit of a boost."
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