Rugby league

JUNIOR rugby league in the region has received an unexpected shot in the arm this off-season, with news Griffith will once again be the epicentre of the representative season when it hosts the NSW Primary Schools rugby league championships.

Twelve teams featuring the brightest players in the state called Griffith home for a week in July this year, as they vied for a place in the NSW squad.

The championships are normally the first stepping stone to professional careers for many, with the alumni of the titles featuring current NRL stars Brett and Josh Morris, Wade Graham and Glenn and Brett Stewart

Riverina ARL development officer Dean Whymark was elated at the news, saying the spin-off effect from this year's championships are still being felt by local schools and clubs.

"Hosting state carnivals in a regional area is pretty much the biggest thing you can get in junior rugby league, the next step up is nationals and they tend to be in metro areas, so this really is pinnacle and we're very lucky to be hosting it for two years in a row," Whymark said.

"As we all know publicity drives the game and good news stories are good for the sport, with Griffith forming its second junior rugby league club in the last 12 months, I've got now doubt that us having that state championships has had a direct affect on the game locally."

To put in perspective how rare an opportunity this is for the game and for the city, the titles are awarded to regions on a rotational basis, with Riverina only expected to be up to host the championships only once every 10 years, with Griffith still having to outbid other rugby league hubs such as Cootamundra and Wagga for the honour.

But Whymark said the chance to use the titles for another year as a lighting rod to the game, will only see rugby league strengthen its numbers at a junior level in the coming years.

"Even if just five kids follow the state titles in the paper and say 'that's seem likes a good sport', and we pick up two, five or 10 kids because of that then that's a big bonus," he said.

"I think to host such an important event for your sport in your town is only going to reap massive benefits for your local clubs and schools."