Newtown Junior Jets Rugby League
by Cathy Reid
Rugby League Junior Club Growth — Bunny Ball putting the bounce into junior leagueThe Newtown Junior
Jets is one of the success stories of the Australian Rugby League Foundation’s focus on junior development.
The junior club started from scratch just two years ago, entering seven teams in the South Juniors competition in its first year, then increasing that to 17 sides for the next season.
It has all stemmed from an adaptation of the Australian Rugby League Foundation’s development program, Kids to Kangaroos, called Bunny Ball according to Newtown Junior Jets Secretary Paul Shiel.
‘Bunny Ball was started about four years ago by our club President Brian Young and his wife Lorraine and the idea was to get kids that had never played before involved in footy,’ Paul said.
The name Bunny Ball was conceived because the club falls within the heartland of the ‘Rabbitohs’ in the South Sydney district.
‘We started the summer before the 2003 season to try to generate interest in the club and we had about 30 kids. That quickly grew to 200.’
Not only has the program kick-started the junior competition, it has broadened the appeal of rugby league in the area.
‘We’re now finding a lot of girls are playing Bunny Ball. While some parents had been reluctant to let their daughters play rugby league, they don’t mind them playing Bunny Ball.
‘A lot of the boys play Bunny Ball in summer to keep fit and they bring their sisters along. So not only does it keep the interest going during the off-season, it also introduces people to the club and they can see how it runs and they get interested.’
The Newtown Junior Jets has also worked hard to build a profile in the local community.
‘We have done a lot of advertising and have gone out and spread the word throughout the community. It has definitely paid off and is the key to our success.’
The Newtown Junior Jets is just one of 21 junior clubs that fall under the umbrella of the South Sydney district where Australian Rugby League Foundation Development Officer Matt Edgehill is based.
‘When you see what the Jets have done from scratch it’s just great. To kick off the first year with seven teams was pretty good, but then to have 17 the next year was terrific,’ Matt said.
‘It’s a great example for other clubs to follow and shows what you can do by running good programs where kids can have some fun while getting a taste of the game.’
The Australian Rugby League Foundation is helping many clubs like Newtown build a solid junior base.
‘We have been really encouraging clubs to start with the under-six age group because once they’ve had a go many of them will continue.
‘Of course, you’ll always get natural attrition, but if the kids are enjoying themselves, many will come back again the next year.’
It’s all part of the Australian Sports Commission’s Targeted Sports Participation Growth Program, which is linked to the Kids to Kangaroos National Development Plan.
Kids to Kangaroos is a regionally-based program for five to 12-year-olds, covering skills over a five-week period.
Matt’s role is also to take rugby league to schools through Joey League, aimed at Year 3 and 4 children. An offshoot of this has been some highly successful Gala Days run for school teams.
‘We always get a mix of skill levels at these Gala Days, so we make sure we match the teams up so the competition is fairly even. There is always a non-competitive division for teams that are new to rugby league, so there are no inexperienced teams getting thrashed by more experienced players.’
The Australian Rugby League Foundation also ensures there is support for teachers, and runs regular courses to help them with rules and skill development.
‘There isn’t always going to be a rugby league expert in each school, so we can give them some support and provide coaching skills.’
Each school program is closely linked to a local club so there is a natural flow on.
Now that the junior base is developing, Matt believes the next focus area needs to be on helping clubs retain players.
‘Getting the kids involved is the first step, the next is providing the correct environment so they want to keep playing.’
