The NSWRL is on track to set another season participation record with registration numbers up 10 per cent on a year-to-date basis for the 2025 Community Rugby League season heading into the opening round this weekend (5-6 April).
It is the third consecutive season the game in NSW reaches record numbers after 112,767 participants signed up to play the game in 2023, and 117,566 last year.
On a year-to-date basis, male participants have recorded a growth of seven per cent and female participants 20 per cent. More than 100,000 players have already signed up for 2025, with female participation expected to surpass 30,000 for the first time.
Significantly, some Licensed Clubs in NSW are providing subsidies to help ease the financial pressures on families, including Canterbury Leagues Club, Wyong Leagues Club, St George Leagues Club and Wests Group Macarthur to name a few.
“Rugby League is in an extremely healthy state in NSW, and I am thrilled our participation is on track for another record season,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“It is a testament not only to the interest that people have in our great game but to all the hard work that NSWRL staff, NRL Game Development Officers and, most importantly, the volunteers put in across NSW.
“It is pleasing to see there have been so many notable increases in participation in regions that have always been Rugby League heartland.
“I also applaud the support that is being shown by our Licensed Clubs, who are providing much-needed financial assistance to help families with registration costs and keep junior players involved with the Game for All.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in Rugby League to sign up and get involved. It is an opportunity to make great friends and play a game that will provide you with lifelong skills.”
Some of the highlights for the 2025 NSWRL season include:
- Canterbury-Bankstown District Junior Rugby League (30 per cent), Balmain (19), South Sydney (15), Group 6 (8), all showing an increase on a year-to-date basis; while female participation across the zone is up 30 per cent;
- Registrations up 35 per cent for St George, with last year’s record already broken for participants aged 6-12, with St George Leagues Club providing $130,000 in funding via the clubGRANTS scheme and Classic providing free playing gear;
- Penrith Junior League on track to surpass last year’s record with more than 9,000 participants already registered;
- Female participation in Penrith and Parramatta up 25 per cent;
- Glen Innes Magpies, Guyra Super Spuds and Uralla Tigers return to First Grade in Group 19 (northern NSW) in 2025, which will also field a Reserve Grade competition for the first time since 2019;
- Six teams signing up for the inaugural women’s tackle competition in Group 4 (north-west NSW);
- Group 3 (mid-north NSW) Junior Rugby League have more than 2600 registered participants;
- Group 2 (mid-north NSW) Junior Rugby League will kick off their first season of Under 14s and Under 16s Girls Tackle;
- Hunter Junior Rugby League surpassing 8,000 participants for the first time;
- Ourimbah Wyoming Magpies returning to First Grade in the Rugby League Central Coast competition;
- Greater Western and Bidgee Region (Riverina) recording a 12 per cent increase on registrations year-to-date, with Boys aged from Under 13s to Under 18s up 12 per cent.
There are competitions kicking off in 15 regions/areas for both seniors and juniors across NSW this weekend including North Sydney, Parramatta, Manly, Canberra, Balmain, Woodbridge Cup (mid-west and central west NSW), Newcastle and Hunter, and the Central Coast.
Click here to register for the NSWRL 2025 season.
