Country Rugby Development
Rugby development in rural and regional NSW has a strong focus on introducing children to the game and then retaining them in the sport. This approach provides a broad base for the Rugby pyramid. And it positions the sport to re-engage adults who have played Rugby during their school years but have drifted away for various reasons.
Junior Rugby development in rural and regional NSW is conducted on a geographic basis within Zones, with local clubs being key players in promoting the game to their town or to their area of a rural city.
The provision of NSWRU staff to most zones is an important element that is designed to assist the respective clubs and towns conduct the recruiting and awareness activities necessary to grow the game at the junior level.
Key features of the NSW Rugby Development Plan include:
A desire to grow the game on the Central Coast and Illawarra reflecting population growth and the opportunities that come with the Zone fielding a team in the Shute Shield.
- Effort to assist Mid North Coast develop vibrant competitions in the primary school age groups.
- General emphasis on growing junior Rugby in the Newcastle – Hunter region to take advantage of the population size and the potential for a zone team in the Shute Shield further into the future.