The “grassroots”, the beating heart and soul of our game where rugby is often discovered, life long friendships formed and even future Wallabies are discovered. Well in Western Sydney the grassroots are being dried out and left to be paved over with countless other sports. Right in the middle of this is Penrith and the many historic clubs and rugby union diehards who are powerless to the pain impacted upon their existence due to rugby’s waning popularity in the area.
We talk to Adam Fletcher, a local teacher who set up Penrith RSL Junior Rugby Club and has lived the struggle for many years trying to help grow the game in a region now overrun by rugby league, AFL and soccer. We discuss the hurdles around trying to set up a local rugby club, the importance of development officers, why Western Sydney needs a tailored approach to connect to the many different communities there and what lessons can be learned for NSWRU and Rugby Australia before it’s too late. Dig in now!