The Juniors Group of Clubs is supporting the development of rugby league, from toddlers to teens.
Who will ever forget those emotional scenes when Alex Johnston was swamped by thousands of fans after crossing for his record-breaking 213th NRL try on 13 March?
It’s a moment that will live for as long as rugby league is played – yet it may not have happened if not for a fortuitous crossing of paths 22 years ago.
A nine-year-old Alex Johnston had wandered down to Yarra Oval to try his luck with the La Perouse United Panthers in the South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League competition – all wide-eyed innocence and full of enthusiasm.
He can’t remember who he opposed in his first game, but he did play centre and recalls getting smashed just about every time he touched the ball.
“It was unreal. I loved every minute of it,” Johnston tells Club Living.
“Getting down to training every Tuesday and Thursday, playing on the weekend with your mates…it was the best time of the week.”
What Johnston wouldn’t have known at the time – and only found out as he entered his teenage years – is there was a helping hand behind the scenes ensuring kids like him not only found the game, but stayed in it.
The Juniors Group of Clubs, boasting licensed premises in Kingsford, Maroubra and Malabar, help fund the Junior League to the tune of more than $2 million annually.
Every girl and boy is covered for registration, insurance, jerseys, shorts and socks. No one pays a cent to play, just BYO boots and mouthguard.
Johnston acknowledges this grassroots backing was a crucial starting point for him and thousands of other players, including current NRL teammates Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi.
“The fact that everything was covered basically gave me the opportunity to play,” he reflects.
“I think my parents, when they saw me catch the footy for the first time and have a bit of fun, were probably going to do whatever they could to help me, but definitely the Juniors’ support was vital.
“There was probably a bunch in my team who were in the same boat and I’m sure it’s still going on today.
“There are plenty in the area who need that support. It is second-to-none. They cover everything.”
The Juniors support 15 affiliated junior clubs, fielding approximately 200 teams each season.
That equates to more than 3,000 registered players, many of whom boast a First Nations heritage or come from families of low socio-economic backgrounds.
Team sports are recognised as providing multiple benefits for children, including physical health and fitness, increased social and emotional skills, as well as promoting leadership and responsibility.
Luke Curry is CEO of the Junior League and coached Johnston in age-group representative (reps) sides.
He says the NRL star’s story is a familiar one.
“There are a lot of success stories like that, but Alex’s is the biggest right now. It’s a great story for the whole district,” he says.
“Simply, our numbers wouldn’t be what they are without the free rego. It’s been a real blessing.
“We have a lot of good kids coming through the system and some of them wouldn’t have been able to afford to play if not for the Juniors.
“And it’s not just in the junior league. We’re the biggest beneficiary, but what they do for surf clubs and other entities in the district is amazing.
“It’s an incredible organisation to work for.”
At the next level – the junior reps, women’s programs and development squads (known as the Junior Bunnies) – the support of the licensed club and junior league is just as vital.
Rabbitohs head of pathways, and former Test and Origin star David Furner is seeing those benefits first-hand.
“We’ve got a really good relationship with (Souths Juniors president) Keith McCraw and Luke Curry. They’re great supporters and nothing’s a hassle,” he says.
“There is some financial support there, but it’s (also) things like helping with transport, trophies at the end of the year, trips away, the use of facilities.
“I talk a lot of about a ‘people-first’ policy. You’ve got to have that trust and communication, because I’ve seen clubs that don’t have that self-destruct.
“Everyone I deal with from a juniors’ perspective is doing it for the right reasons.”
Furner reports to South Sydney head coach Wayne Bennett, who preaches the need to future-proof the club in what is a changing demographic.
Once strictly rugby league territory, the traditional Souths’ catchment area is no longer a never-ending conveyer belt of budding rugby league players.
The Rabbitohs’ best young local talent is being supplemented by players from outside of Sydney, NSW and Australia.
“Immediate success is something everybody wants, but so is the future success of the club,” Furner continues.
“We plan beyond the two-year cycles of the junior representative groupings.
“We try to plan four to five years ahead, all the way from under 15s through to first grade.
“We want to give the kids every opportunity to succeed and make sure we keep the next Cam Murrays, Keaon Koloamatangis and Alex Johnstons coming right through the pathways to first grade.”
The Johnston link with the South Sydney junior league won’t end with Alex.
The next generation is already on the same journey.
“My little boy (Sonny) just played his second game of League Tag and he’s loving it,” Johnston reveals. “He scored four or five tries so he’s only got 210 more to go to catch me!” Johnston says with a smile.
“It’s a great thing they do giving kids an opportunity to play for free.
“It’s produced a lot of talent, especially at Souths, but all over the NRL. It gives back to the community in a big way. They do it the best.
“And you never know, there could be the next ‘AJ’ out there getting the assistance they need right now.
“It’s at the point now where I’m seeing all the fans and kids coming up and asking for autographs and messaging me, so I definitely think what I do on and off the field inspires them.”