Rugby League in the Shire kicks off this weekend when Cronulla Junior Rugby League (CJRL) Round One for season 2023 gets underway.
Even before a ball is kicked, CJRL have plenty to celebrate with social media following surpassing significant milestones with over now 7000 following CJRL on Facebook and Instagram, player registrations currently over 5100, and new teams and competitions being added to the weekly draw schedule. Female participation continues to grow with over 1600 registrations to date.
Those juniors starting out in the first season of Rugby League will also benefit from an initiative that will see all new Under 6 players receive free headgear, thanks to financial support from Shire Steel and Experience Sport.
CJRL will continue to livestream all scheduled fixtures from two venues each week, right through from under 6s to over 35 Bluestag competitions. Senior open age competition livestreams are also available for supporters to follow via subscription, which will create revenue to support Cronulla Junior League operations.
This season will see a renewed focus on the senior open age competitions and the strong following this has in the Shire. All Open Age Gold competition fixtures will be livestreamed and available to watch on demand via BarTV. More exciting initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks which will continue to highlight the quality of CJRL senior Rugby League players and teams.
In the Open Age Gold competition, Engadine make a welcome return after an absence of several seasons and are looking to make an impact immediately, starting with a big day at Anzac Oval when the face neighbours Bosco Bulldogs in the local derby. Bosco themselves are also new to the gold competition, after completing an undefeated season in the silver competition in 2022. With the addition of a few new signings they are determined to make their stay in the top grade a long term proposition.
At Corea Oval, Gymea begin life without some long-term club legends who have hung up the boots after their 2022 premiership win, and face De La Salle with a much different looking team. Whilst at Scylla Bay Oval, Como-Jannalli will be confident of taking it right to last years grand finalists St. Joseph’s with some quality players returning to the fold, in front of what should be a healthy and vocal home crowd. Kogarah have the round one bye, but will be confident of moving up the ladder with some quality recruits joining the team, after collecting the wooden spoon in 2022.
CJRL Chairman Nathan Waugh is upbeat about the coming season. “After recent years which disrupted community sport significantly, there is a sense we are getting some clear air ahead of us in 2023. Cronulla Junior League appears to be in a position to bounce back in a big way, and thanks to the support of clubs, volunteers and our partners, we have some exciting initiatives that will be introduced this year which will benefit the competition” Waugh declared.
