Celebrating Community Sport
The Wests Sports Council provides various opportunities throughout the year to celebrate our local sports community including an annual award process for local athletes and sporting groups and a Sports Volunteer of the Year Awards program. These opportunities are to recognise achievement, commitment and contribution to sport. Sports Award nominations are open to members of Sporting Clubs and Individual Clubs of Associations which have been approved by the Wests Campbelltown Board for membership of the Wests Sports Council.
Wests Group Macarthur to become the biggest third party club contributor to Junior Rugby League in the state
Wests Group Macarthur will supercharge the grassroots rugby league conference across the Macarthur region with the execution of a $400,000 funding arrangement of the combined Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League and Group 6 Rugby League conference for the upcoming 2024 season.
The commitment for the betterment of the Macarthur Rugby League Community will be made via the ClubGRANTS scheme will once again support 23 Clubs with a footprint encompassing Campbelltown, Liverpool, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee comprising close to 500 teams and around 9,000 players and continues to be the largest financial commitment to any sporting code made by Wests Group Macarthur.
In an area of significant population and participation growth but also high disadvantage, Wests Group Macarthur has increased funding YOY to a total of $400,000 targeting Campbelltown and Camden in recognition of cost pressures on families, the growth of the participants in the region, and the increasing operational expenses tied to inflation. The aim is to provide cost relief to families and alleviate registration and game day costs with Insurance subsidies and apparel rebates for around 6,000 junior league participants, with funding also extending toward the covering costs associated with Referee fees.
Not only does the partnership represent equivalent savings per family of $60 per Junior League participant, but Wests Group Macarthur also acts a backbone of the league through in-kind activity supporting meetings, events, vouchers, and the inclusion of Macarthur Rugby League within the Wests Sports Council.
New South Wales Rugby League continues to govern and act as the operational body for Group 6 and Wests Tigers Macarthur JRL in the Macarthur region which is now the second largest grassroots Rugby League network in NSW (second only to Penrith), with the vision of providing future growth opportunities and pathways to unearth the next Rugby League superstar.
Chairman of the Wests Tigers JRL Board Daniel Draper, comments “The continued growth we have seen in the region can be attributed to the continued and increased funding the area receives from Wests Group Macarthur. This funding ensures our clubs can continue to provide a great value for money product for families and players”.
Chairman of the Group 6 Junior Rugby League, Mark Dooner adds, “This increase in support isn’t just about dollars; it’s about investing in the heart of the Macarthur region, fuelling growth, opportunity, and a brighter future for our Rugby League community.”
NSW Rugby League CEO David Trodden expressed his gratitude to Wests Group Macarthur for their support of the game and their community, “Sincere thanks to Chairperson Alan Buxton, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Perkiss and the rest of the board who continue to not only believe in the role our sport plays to enhance healthy communities but also the role strong junior participation plays for future player development and pathways in Rugby League”.
Chairman of Wests Group Macarthur Alan Buxton says of the funding, “Since our inception in 1974, Rugby League has been at the heart of everything we do. Supporting the past, present, and future of the game in Macarthur is a privilege we hold dear, and we are thrilled to see the local conference reach new heights in 2025. Thanks to our dedicated members, we are proud to provide funding through our ClubGRANTs Program, alongside vital community development and support initiatives.”
Buxton Continues, “We are thrilled to partner with NSWRL to make this exciting announcement. Standing alongside representatives from our local junior clubs, our local NRL team, and the passionate Wests Tigers supporters in Campbelltown, we have no doubt that the future of Rugby League in this region is bright.”
At the heart of Western Suburbs League Club, the flagship venue in Wests Group portfolio, is a historic connection with Rugby League and the Group 6 Rugby League competition – with the club originally built to support Campbelltown’s oldest rugby league team, the Campbelltown City Kangaroos with origins back to 1908.
The region has a great track record of producing Rugby League talent including Wests Tigers talent Lachlan Galvin (Eagle Vale St Andrews / Camden Rams / Mt Annan Knights), Tallyn Da Silva (Easts Campbelltown), Justin Matamua (Campbelltown City Kangaroos), Health Mason (Thirlmere Roosters) as of course former NSW blues captain James Tedesco (Camden Rams) from Group 6.
The launch took place at Campbelltown Stadium ahead during the Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Campbelltown Home Game 6pm on Friday 7th March. The Match, supported by Wests Group Macarthur saw up to 50 Junior League players from across the greater Macarthur region, participating in half time mini games run with New South Wales Rugby League, National Rugby League, and Wests Tigers Community team with a huge home crowd and atmosphere providing a great experience for local junior club representatives.
Further complimenting the strong investment in local grassroots Rugby League, Wests Group Macarthur will host and cover costs for a special (local) Club Fundraising dinner, this March 14th, including 3-course meal, guest speakers, live auctions, raffles with the intention for all proceeds raised from table bookings and auctions to be reinvested back into local clubs.
Wests would like to acknowledge the following key stakeholders in this partnership including Wests Group Macarthur Chairman – Alan Buxton, Wests Group Macarthur Chief Executive Officer – Daniel Perkiss, President/s of the Group 6 Rugby League – Grahame Andrews (Seniors) and Mark Dooner (JRL), Chairman of Wests Tigers Macarthur JRL – Daniel Draper and CEO of NSW Rugby League – David Trodden.
For more on the Wests Sports Council and Wests Group commitment to being the Home of Sport visit www.westslc.com.au/Sport
Contact:
Wests Group Macarthur
Katie Petkovski
Group Marketing & Communications Manager
P (02) 4628 4188 | D (02) 4634 5683| E katiep@westslc.com.au
NSW Rugby league
Tyrone Collins
Zone Manager – Central Sydney & Macarthur
P 0425 351 473 E tcollins@nswrl.com.au
