Junior rugby league clubs tackle fall in registrations

Junior rugby league clubs across the southeast are preparing for big weekends of sign-ons despite having recorded a slump in numbers over the past year.

Tauave Leofa (left) of North Lakes Kangaroos is challenged by Onosai Howe of Logan Brothers during the Under-13 Rugby League match played at Kinsellas Park, North Lakes in May, 2019. AAP Image/Regi Varghese

JUNIOR rugby league clubs across the southeast are preparing for big weekends of sign-ons despite having recorded a slump in numbers over the past year.

Brisbane Junior Rugby League said junior numbers were down 1.24 per cent. Last year, junior under 6 players in competitions in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and the Gold Coast played Tag League, which taught tackling techniques.

RUGBY WORLD CUP WAS IN LOGAN

Logan Brothers Rugby League club said registrations for juniors has fallen.

This year, that will be extended to under 7 matches, which will not allow tackling for the first 10 weeks, while the players learn how to tackle.

Logan Brothers Football Club president Duane Antcliff blamed some of the slump in numbers on the Tackle Safe program introduced in 2017.

Logan Brothers Rugby League Club president Duane Antcliff blamed some of the slump in numbers on the Tackle Safe program introduced in 2017.

He said the Tackle Safe program should have attracted new players but clubs were experiencing a decline in registration.

Logan Brothers, known for its former famous players Cameron Smith and Corey Parker, had four under-6 teams with 48 kids playing in 2018 but last year that dropped to three teams with 36 players.

Mr Antcliff said kids signed up to play rugby league not to play Oz Tag.

“At the Logan club, it’s very multicultural and we have some big families and some kids coming into the game have brothers who are older and so they are already used to tackling,” he said.

Mr Antcliff defended claims that a miserable off-season had affected people’s perspectives of the game but did not elaborate on whether players would get into trouble if they did not learn proper tackling from the start.

■ Logan Brothers Junior Sign On for 2020 is on February 1, 2, 8 and 9 from 9am to 2pm and on Monday, February 10 to Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7pm at Logan Civic Centre Park, 170 Wembley Road, Logan Central.

Registration costs $170 per junior player with players in under 6 and 7 teams $150.