ARL Unveil Positive New
Initiative

Rugby League has for the first time brought together all sections of the game in a Kids to Kangaroos National Development plan that will coordinate the sport?s multi-million dollar investment in junior participation and development.

The ARL plan coordinates the $21million directly invested in the game at junior level through direct grants from the NRL Partnership, the ARL, the ARL Foundation and major Leagues Clubs, as well as the more than $60million generated through local leagues clubs, volunteers, sponsors and participants.

?The size of League?s infrastructure and volunteer network is simply incredible,? ARL Chief Executive, Mr Geoff Carr said today.

?The Kids to Kangaroos Development plan is the first document that ties these efforts together with a clear sense of direction across all parts of the game.

?It?s a document that provides leadership and coordination of those resources?

Three generations of the Gasnier family were on hand along with NSW Minister for Sport, Ms Sandra Nori, to launch the plan today.

?I?ve been involved in the game all my life,? Rugby League ?immortal? Reg said today.

Facts and Figure, Kids To Kangaroos Launch

1. Participation

Club Rugby League

Juniors (6 to 18 years) 90, 435 Seniors (19 years +) 36, 634 Total 127,069

School Rugby League

Primary 39,022 Secondary 32,301 Total 71,323

TOTAL PARTICIPATION 198,389

2. Development Funding

Funds Allocated to grass roots Junior Rugby League Development only (not including senior competition)

? State Leagues (From Grants via ARL) $4.85m ? ARL Foundation $4.00m ? AIS Program $0.40m ? NRL Partnership Board 2003 special grant $1.40m ? NSW Leagues Club Grants to Junior Leagues* $10.57m

Total $21.22m

Note: This does not include funds contributed to the development of the game in their local areas by individual NRL clubs (eg employment of NRL Club Development Managers). * Refers to Clubs who are members of the NSWRL only, recognising, that South Sydney Juniors fund South Sydney?s program

3. Full Time Development Staff

The game employs almost one hundred Development Officers nationally including:

? Thirty two Development Officers employed by the ARL Foundation ? Twenty five Development Officers employed by State Leagues ? Twenty two Development Managers/ Officers employed by NRL Clubs ? Fifteen Development Officers employed by various Leagues Clubs