Minister for Regional and Western NSW Tara Moriarty, today met with the NSW Rugby Western Plains Development Team in Dubbo to learn more about their training camps, supported by the NSW Government Holiday Break program.
“The programs are helping young people living in western NSW, especially from Aboriginal backgrounds, build their skills and confidence,” Ms Moriarty said
“Our partnership with NSW Rugby, through the NSW Government’s Holiday Break program, is giving young people across regional and remote NSW the opportunity to literally kick goals by learning and developing their skills while being active and having fun with their friends.
From Dubbo to Bogan and Brewarrina to Bourke, the $770,000 in funding provided through the Holiday Break program has enabled 8 staff to deliver training clinics to 1200 young rugby players in 15 remote communities across regional NSW.
“The program is quite unique because it is being delivered in remote communites by employees of NSW Rugby who live in and are connected to the communities of western NSW,” Ms Moriarty said.
“About 70% of participants in the NSW Western Plains programs are Aboriginal young people who, due to the program’s success, might end up being the next Dylan Pietsch or Waratah Women’s Pathway player Janalee Conroy.
“It is inspiring to see NSW Rugby investing in western NSW communities in this way and encouraged to see such engagement and enjoyment across these successful training clinics in remote areas,” Ms Moriarty said.
Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said the Holiday Break program partnerships are designed to provide young people with a diverse range of activities to not only keep them engaged but give them the chance to learn new skills.
“Whether it’s catching their interest in a new opportunity or tackling a sport they already love, the Holiday Break program has a variety of options for all young people,” Ms Jackson said.
"Every young person in regional NSW should be able to access fun and engaging activities regardless of where they live. When the Winter Holiday Break program kicks off in just over 6 weeks, I’m sure we’ll see hundreds of young people descending on rugby clubs across regional NSW to take part in these great training camps.”
NSW Rugby CEO Paul Doorn said the Holiday Break program partnership allows young people to engage with communities in western NSW and ensure they have access to skills and development clinics and programs.
“This is about more than rugby for us. It’s rugby for good. Of course, giving more children an opportunity to develop their skills allows us to nurture talent and inspire the next generation of NSW rugby stars, but it also encourages these kids to come together to get active and connect in the great outdoors,” Mr Doorn said.
Get more information on the Holiday Break Program.
