Registrations open today (Friday 1 December) for the 2024 NSWRL season with Sky Blues NSW coach Kylie Hilder urging everyone to sign up and play the game for all.
“Whether you’re enjoying another season or you’re coming to Rugby League for the first time, don’t hesitate in joining a club where you’ll make friends for life,” Hilder said.
“I’ve been involved in many levels of the game from a junior player right through to being Origin coach, and I can tell you the game has so much to offer.
“You learn teamwork, goal-setting, self-improvement … so many positive things that I still carry with me today.
“I urge everyone to become part of the Rugby League community and find the competition and the club that best suits you.”
In 2023, 112,767 participants registered to play Rugby League, including another record mark for female participation of 26,187. It was the third consecutive year that female participation has surpassed 20,000.
Teenage male participation (13 to 18 years) grew for a third consecutive year and was a six per cent increase from 2022.
Most significantly, the overall player retention rate in NSW grew to 72.28 per cent in 2023, up from 70.44 per cent in 2022.
NSWRL’s Community Football Manager Peter Clarke said thriving clubs were helping retain players and volunteers by creating a positive culture and family-friendly environment.
“At our recent Community Football Conference we heard leading volunteers across the state, sharing success stories on what they do to keep their League or Club healthy to retain participants and attract new players to our sport,” Clarke said.
“From Broken Hill to Bondi and Goodooga to Eden, we look forward to working with our Leagues and Clubs to build on our 2023 numbers, encouraging positive, fun, and safe environments creating high-quality experiences for our participants.”
The NSWRL offers a number of competitions for all players – from the traditional form of tackle, to non-tackle options in Blues Tag, and Try League for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
There is also well-established Wheelchair and Physical Disability Rugby League club competitions.
Click here to sign up for the 2024 season.
