Former Wests Tigers Premiership-winners Brett Hodgson and John Skandalis have thrown their support behind Junior Rugby League in the Macarthur region after the launch of the Wests Tigers Macarthur District Junior Rugby League competition at Wests Campbelltown on Thursday 7 March.
Hodgson and Skandalis were joined by current Wests Tigers players Josh Reynolds, Alex Twal, Corey Thompson and Josh Aloiai and NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden at the launch which saw the Wests Tigers logo unveiled as the new brand for the competition.
Hodgson and Skandalis were part of the Wests Tigers team that won the joint venture club’s first and only title in 2005.
“Winning a premiership with Wests Tigers was one of the highlights of my career and it’s great to see kids in the Macarthur region can now follow a pathway right through to the NRL,” Hodgson said.
“The future of Rugby League in the area is looking bright and it’s a great time to be involved."
Skandalis said: “I’m a proud Western Suburbs junior and I’m excited about the future of Rugby League in the Macarthur area.
“I’m confident this competition will unearth the next generation of Wests Tigers players.”
The launch of Wests Tigers Macarthur District Junior Rugby League also saw the new Junior Rugby League Board announced in front of all 12 Junior Rugby League clubs from the Macarthur area.
The NSWRL and Wests Group Macarthur has assisted with the formation of the new competition and delivered on several initiatives including iPads for Junior League clubs, football and training equipment, and the appointment of a full-time Competition Administrator which will be announced soon.
“It’s a landmark day in the history of Rugby League in the Macarthur area,” Trodden said.
“We’ve got a new organisation and for the first time in many years we have a representation of the pathway right through to the NRL with the Junior League now carrying the Wests Tigers brand.
“This level of optimism in Rugby League in the Macarthur region hasn’t been seen for some time so it’s an exciting time for everyone involved in the game out there.”
As part of the launch on Thursday 7 March, all Junior Rugby League clubs received a signed Wests Tigers jersey and membership passes for all registered participants.
