Rugby league looking to unearth next generation of stars in uncharted territory
Rugby league is searching uncharted territory to unearth the next generation stars with a new program breaking down barriers and social isolation for people from diverse communities
Blacktown
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Rugby league is searching uncharted territory to unearth the next generation of stars.
In recent months that has seen the sport running a special program in Blacktown for a second time after the successful pilot of the Try League program at Glenwood last year.
NSWRL’s Try League program aims to break down the barriers and social isolation for people from diverse communities
The initial program exposed a number of Indian children — who had never tried rugby league before simply because no one had asked them — to the game.
The program discovered there was a real appetite for rugby league within the Indian community but no rugby league officials had ever approached the community leaders to explain the benefits of the game and its ability to break down social barriers.
Now a second program over 12 weeks has seen 62 children exposed to the sport with 50 per cent of Indian background and a large per cent from the language school in Glenwood.
“It was wonderful and a perfect blend of multiculturist. A really nice mix of children,’’ said Arvinder Dhanota, whose seven-year-old Jarawar Singh participated.
“He just loved it and it was lovely to see him so engaged. I couldn't recommend it more highly for kids who are a little introverted. This was his first try at rugby league and he had so much fun.”
Children aged from four to nine, were split into three groups to learn age appropriate rugby league skills and tag components of the game.
On the final night they received a rugby league starter park including a mini football, water bottle and bag.
Now the NSWRL has announced three more eight week programs: October 22 at The Ponds; October 23 at Parramatta; and October 24 at Minchinbury.
Register: nswrl.com.au/community/try-league/