Name: $1.4m funding boost for grassroots rugby league
Uploaded: 2025-11-29T23:02:38.290Z
Duration: 3 min 8 s
Description: NSW Rugby League has announced its biggest-ever investment in community facilities, awarding more than $1.38 million to 12 local clubs and councils. The funding will deliver upgrades to grounds and infrastructure as player numbers reach record highs across the state.

NSW Rugby League has announced its biggest-ever investment in community facilities, awarding more than $1.38 million to 12 local clubs and councils. The funding will deliver upgrades to grounds and infrastructure as player numbers reach record highs across the state.

Council of the City of Sydney

NSW Rugby League has announced an investment of $1,387,180 into community rugby league, selecting 12 clubs and local councils from 43 applicants to receive funding for facility upgrades across New South Wales. This initiative represents the largest contribution to grassroots infrastructure in the sport's history and aims to support the growing number of participants, including a record number of female players.

The funding will address outdated facilities and provide significant benefits to regional clubs, many of which have not received substantial support in recent years. Organizers highlighted the social, physical, and mental health benefits of sport, and encouraged clubs that missed out to prepare for the next funding round expected in mid-2026.

$1.4m funding boost for grassroots rugby league

From country towns to coastal clubs, Rugby League leaders from across NSW have come together to support the grassroots game. NSW Rugby League is investing $1,387,180 back into Community Rugby League today. From 43 applications, 12 clubs and local councils have been chosen to receive the funds, which will be used to improve and upgrade facilities at grounds and ovals all over the state. The current announcing box is not fit for purpose. We originally put the clubhouse there and built it ourselves in 1980, so it needs upgrade. This is the largest contribution to grassroots infrastructure that the game's ever made. David Trodden is CEO of NSW Rugby League. We know that we've got a bill for the future, we know that we've got to create a capacity to facilitate the massive participation growth that we're having in the game. Across the state this year, there were more than 120,000 registered Rugby League players, including some 33,000 female participants, a new record. They deserve to have our great facilities, do with playing on great ovals. It's hoped these grants will further increase engagement. So many different projects, regional, Petro, NSW, so many grassroots teams that are benefiting. We've got 410 registered kids, biggest junior club in Group 9. With the lights, we can push the older kids back, train them later. It's just going to make so much of a difference to the development of the game. The eight regional clubs that are receiving that funding, this is life changing for them. They haven't had money from any sources in recent years. They love Rugby League and now for us to put money into that infrastructure projects can be enormous. The flood in May this year, which is the biggest flood in the area in living memory. A lot of families affected that are part of our club too. We couldn't be more grateful to be one of the recipients of this money. This isn't just an investment in the grassroots game, this is an investment in the community too. The benefits, the social benefits in particular, physical health, mental health. Sport is a huge part of Australian life, particularly down here in the Shire. And there's almost a never ending need for sporting upgrades and we can't just rely upon councils alone. It brings a lot of joy to the community. Councils and clubs that missed out on this first round of funding are encouraged to start preparing now for second stage applications, which are expected to open mid-2026. I was blown away at the size of the response. Keep it up, because that's what clubs need, grassroots football. Our board has been magnificent. Wouldn't it be great if the NRL matched the contributions that we were making? Wouldn't it be great if we had a commercial partner? Certainly a fantastic moment for us today. Again, congratulations to everyone that has been successful. So well done, thank you very much. Thank you.

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