Recently I came across an article from a 1975 issue of the NSWRL’s official magazine which provided all the junior player participants for the season – by districts and their respective amount of teams.
Fifty years ago, there were 38,000 players from 1873 teams across the 12 suburban districts that made up the NSWRL regions within Sydney.
This does not include Country Rugby League teams or Queensland players which we’ll look at another time.
We must assume that these players are all male and at the time, all played under international rules.
No mini or mod or non-contact.
These figures do not include touch, tag or women’s participation.
Based on the number of teams and players playing we will adopt an average of 20 players per team.
Now fast forward five decades and let’s look at 2025 figures which we have collated from all 10 junior districts and including mini and mod numbers.
Both mini and mod have less players so we’ve aggregated at 15 per side v 20 per side average.
From 1975, I’ve calculated, then divided this amount and applied a -15% as the majority of junior teams are mini or mod which means less players per side from the total figures.
It’s probably generous but realistic.
The information has been gathered from Play Rugby League, NSWRL & Club websites.
Whilst NRL & state-based bodies have promoted the fact that participation has increased year on year, which is great and In essence, more kids are picking up a Steeden.
This must be congratulated.
However, the data will show the actual number of male players from U6’s to A Grade has decreased.
So let’s start with Cronulla’s Juniors – one of the success stories at grassroots level.
Buoyed by population growth within key demographics, the Shire has constantly punched above its weight and from a per capita basis, consistently has been a successful breeding ground for future NRL players the Cronulla Junior League & NRL club must be congratulated.
In 1975, Cronulla, on the back of their first grand final appearance, had 3340 players from 167 teams at 20 players per team.
According to figures supplied by CSJRL, the district today has approximately 4375 junior male players in their district at an increase of over 1000 players since 1975.
Considering residential homes, at 90,000, and applying the national average of 2.5 per home – the participation number is extremely positive.
Once an area that produced many legends, Balmain has shifted demographics from working class to high middle class with Louisa Rd attracting millionaires along the foreshore.
The area extends north-west toward Dundas Shamrocks. circling back towards Ryde and heads west towards the famous Enfield Federals Club.
The largest of the inner west clubs are the mighty Concord Wolves, closely followed by the Leichhardt Wanderers.
As it was in the 1970s and 1980s.
In ‘75 Balmain had 137 sides in its Junior district, based on the 20 average [2740].
Today, it has 124 teams at an average of 20 players per side a sub total of 2480.
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Applying -15% gives us a total of 2108. A reduction of 600 Junior players.
And let’s not forget that several sides from Western Suburbs then moved into the Balmain district.
Over to Canterbury which has had several demographic changes over the years.
The Bulldogs had 246 teams with 4920 players.
Their eclectic mix of demographics covers their 14 junior clubs today.
They now have 4520 players from 226 teams at 20 per team… a decrease of 1000 players from fifty seasons ago.
The mid-70s was a booming period for the Eastern Suburbs, with teams tripling in numbers between 1967 to 1975.
However, we know that there were boundary changes handed down by the NSWRL Board but Easts was still the place to be.
Easts Juniors had 1660 juniors within their district at the time.
Today, amongst remaining three clubs, [Bondi United , Clovelly Crocodiles and Paddington Colts], they have 39 teams with 780 players [adjusted by -15%, reducing that number to 663.
A substantial decrease of 56%.
We have also not included Central Coast Roosters as they were a Group Division in 1975.
Heading across the Bridge and we end up in the Manly district which takes in the Peninsula and all the way to Palm Beach.
In 1975 Manly had 140 sides with 2800 players.
The district has gone through many reincarnations and the local clubs have survived, but many playing in merged competitions
Based on figures seen by this writer, Manly has 2620 players approx. based on the 20-player average.
However, factoring in the 15%, we get a total of 2227 – a reduction of 600 sign-ups.
Away to Newtown which has seen a massive shift in their population. From traditional Australian families to Greek immigrants, followed by Vietnamese which has totally changed Newtown. Today tells a much different story with Marrickville becoming a major entertainment hub for hipsters & professional couples looking at quality real estate close to the CBD.
On the flip side, 50 years ago, Newtown had 64 sides with approximately 1280 players.
Since then, Newtown’s fortunes have changed dramatically with no junior league run in the area.
Those clubs that remain now compete in Souths Juniors.
The “Pride of the League’s” Juniors had a strong 149 sides with 2980 juniors playing in their clubs back in the mid-70s.
A halcyon time for rugby league in that district.
Today, from a total of 3300, there are 2420 junior males playing which includes sides from Newtown District League.
A drop of approximately 1000.
These are exact figures supplied.
Heading over the bridge North Sydney who had tripled their numbers from 1967 to 1975 with 2000 players.
Norths have recently increased funding, and have approximately 1640 players.
Based on mini, mod & international teams and applying the -15%, the number comes down to 1395 players.
Major population shifts in Parramatta and surrounds in the 70s, just prior to their decade of dominance, was a determining factor with almost a 100% increase from 177 sides to 321 totalling 6420 in ‘75.
Penrith was only 8 years old at this time but were already becoming a powerhouse with 324 teams consisting of 6480 players between these two districts and over 13,000 registered players.
Today both areas remain strong with 5635 from 321 Teams, one less team than 1975 with the number fractionally less with 15% applied at 4790.
Penrith, the great success story, 6480 in 1975 versus 12,520, adjusted to 10,645.
Still an outstanding result.
St George dropped in the early 70’s but by mid-75, 141 teams and 2420 players were emulating Graeme Langlands in the district. Over the next 10 years, St George benefited massively appearing in four Grand Finals and appearing in 8 semi final series.
In fifty years, numbers have dropped from 1960 to 1666.
Now to my old area… the Western Suburbs district – taking in areas that included Ashfield to Auburn Wests dropped from 157 teams to under 100.
At 97 teams this equated to 1940 players back in the good old days.
Many of these clubs have since folded or ended up in Canterbury Juniors & Balmain Junior Leagues.
Now let’s fast forward to 2025 and head Southwest to the rebranded Wests Tigers Macarthur and ages 5-12.
Approx 145 teams.
We calculate 2250 Junior Players.
I haven’t included in final tally as Campbelltown was a Group 6 area in 1975.
In essence based on these figures despite an increase in overall population playing participation has reduced by approximately 2000 players.
In essence, more kids are playing than ever before but the grassroots tackle game has significantly decreased.
