Record registration numbers across seniors, juniors and women’s rugby league over the past two years has seen the Canberra Region Rugby League (CRRL) grow to become the fourth largest rugby league region in NSW.

In the 2021 season, 5,798 players signed up for the CRRL across all ranks, putting the local comp ahead of traditional rugby league strongholds like Parramatta, Canterbury, and Illawarra.

The Central Coast is only slightly ahead on 5,989, with Penrith and Newcastle the only other regions ahead of Canberra.

CRRL general manager, Mark Vergano, told Canberra Daily the result is a “great credit” to local clubs, which have “rebounded terrifically” through the interrupted 2020 and 2021 seasons.

“The numbers reflect a great deal of work our volunteers have put in to get kids out and playing, and the parents who encourage their children,” he said.

Overall participation in the Canberra region has increased by 13.5 per cent from 5,105 (2019) to 5,798.

Junior numbers rose 14 per cent from 2019, while senior numbers increased by 12 per cent.

While the game is known for being a tough collision sport, Vergano said the CRRL does everything in their powers to ensure a safe environment in their competition.

Every game played has accredited trainers and first aid practitioners in attendance, while all 350 local teams from under sixes to first grade play and train under an accredited coach.

“I like to think we are very professional both on- and off-field in our approach to the game and in promoting the right culture,” Vergano said.

Sharks registrations jump by more than 50 per cent

Local rugby league club Belconnen United Sharks have recorded an increase in registrations of over 50 per cent, going from 240 players in 2019 to 370 players this season.

Club president, Matt Brown, told Canberra Daily the surge in numbers is due to the work of their 80-100 dedicated volunteers, along with the recent success of the Canberra Raiders.

“The volunteers around the club and the kids in the club make it a fun, enjoyable atmosphere,” he said. “We’ve got more and more players coming.”

Having only stepped into the role of president ahead of the 2020 season, Brown has endured a baptism of fire, leading the club through two COVID-disrupted seasons.

“I’m assuming it was very different to years before that,” Brown smiled.

Despite that, he’s enjoyed great support from the committee and the club’s ranks more widely.

With the growth the Sharks have achieved, their numbers are now at a point where they’re close to outgrowing their facilities.

The Sharks currently train and play from Melba District Playing Fields, where they have access to two grounds and limited changeroom facilities.

“Two changerooms for 370 kids is a bit hard but we make do with what we’ve got,” he said. “We have been running out of facilities.”

He is hopeful at least one of the two out-of-service ovals adjacent to the playing fields can come back online. They ovals were decommissioned “a number of years ago” due to the drought.

“We’d love to see one of them back in service, which would be a great help to us, especially on game days.”

Women’s game to keep growing

Female participation now accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the overall local rugby league participation, following a concerted effort to make the game more accessible.

Next season, there will be even more opportunities for more females to get involved with more junior age groups and formats coming online.

League tag has continued to grow, while next year girls only tackle will expand from under 15s and 17s to include under 9s, 11s, and 13s.

Until now, girls have had to play in mixed tackle competitions up until under 12s.

“What we’re saying is we have a game for you in a format that’s suitable for you,” Vergano said.

With the Canberra Raiders in the process of formally applying for a 2023 NRLW licence, Vergano expects more growth in the women’s game in the years ahead.

“We would expect there to be growth because we’re very much ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ in this case,” he said. “People aspire to play in green; it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female.”

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