The Wyong Leagues Group Junior Rugby League Subsidy Program has been a huge success since it was launched last month.
Junior sport had been struggling to maintain registration numbers during tough financial times and with a revamp of the government-funded Active Kids program many families lost part or all of the subsidy they previously received under the program.
To try and overcome the negative impact on numbers in junior participation for rugby league, Wyong Leagues Group started its own subsidy program providing $100 per child between the ages of five to 13 towards their fees.
The program has been hugely successful with results to date showing that not only has the potential decline in registrations been arrested but it has led to many teams going well past last year’s numbers in sign-ups.
Whilst registrations are not yet complete, NSWRL Zone Manager Grant Kelly says overall the figures look extremely promising.
“Since the program launched on February 23, we have seen our largest number of February registrations per month ever recorded for the Central Coast,” he said.
“As an indication of the impact, in terms of year-to-date results, Berkeley Vale is up by 53.82 per cent, and already ahead of their end-of-year total by 22.81.
“Umina is up by 45.58 per cent, Wyong 5.28 per cent, Terrigal 8.83 per cent, Blue Haven 8.79 per cent, and Ourimbah 4.98 per cent.
“The impact of the subsidy has been extraordinary.”
Matt Roberts from the Berkeley Vale Panthers said this year’s nominations were very slow to start but since the announcement of the subsidy the impact had been huge and the gains exponential.
“Berkeley Vale now has the highest number of junior registrations in our 38-year history,” he said.
Tracy Sivyer, secretary of the Terrigal Sharks, reported wonderful feedback on the program.
“Whilst the numbers are a little lower (than) last year, it is still early in the season and registrations for minis are still coming in,” she said.
“I also believe that the registrations would have been much lower had the program not been offered.”
Wyong Leagues Group CEO Ben Coghlan is delighted with the progress in junior registrations.
“We are pleased to have been able to play our part in making it all happen,” he said.
“We firmly believe that a highly active and engaged junior program is essential for the health of the great game of rugby league here on the Coast.”
what a great initiative by Wyong league it sure puts the NSW government to shame