Currently the CRL runs a regional under-16s and under-18s championship played on a single weekend. It's a knockout-style competition culminating in a final. This CRL competition consists of eight regional teams in the under-16s and under-18s divisions. The preliminary games and semi-finals are played at a single venue on the Saturday and Sunday of the June long weekend with the finals played at a later date. The eight teams participating under the current model are the East Coast Dolphins, Newcastle Rebels, Greater Southern Redbacks, Bidgee Bulls, Northern Tigers, Central Coast, Greater Southern Stingrays and the Western Rams. The new proposal is for a 10-team competition comprised of the following sides: Northern Rivers: Group 1, 18 and Northern Rivers; North Coast: Groups 2 and 3;

Greater Northern: Groups 4, 19, 21; Newcastle: Newcastle and Maitland; Central Coast: Central Coast; Southwest: Group 6 and Southwest Academy; South Coast: Illawarra and Group 7;

Riverina: Groups 9 and 20; Monaro: Canberra and Group 16; Western: Groups 10 and 11 and Castlereagh League. This competition would be comprised of two five-team pools, North and South. There would be a crossover each week for the two teams with the bye. The competition would run for seven weeks and be completed by the start of the regular junior league competitions in these areas. The top two teams in each pool would qualify for semi-finals and both these matches would be played as a double-header at the one venue. The pool winners progress to a final.

The aim is to advance this competition in future years to a nine-week format, plus a final series, to mirror the time-honoured junior representative competitions currently played under the New South Wales Rugby League format. Right off the top, I have to say my initial reaction is that this is an outstanding proposal and one the NRL clubs should readily embrace. I have already informed CRL CEO Terry Quinn that the Panthers are extremely supportive of the concept and would like to make a commitment to service the Western division encompassing groups 10 and 11 and the Castlereagh league. Our club is already active in western NSW and we would welcome the opportunity to help develop rugby league even further for the people of this area. Just quickly, I will give you some background as to the present arrangements in junior league and why this proposal is so important. There are currently three major state leagues that provide football for junior players aged five to 18 years. On 2014 figures, the Queensland Rugby League has 46,176 participants. The NSWRL has 37,151 participants. The CRL boasts 40,604 young players.

Of the three state leagues only two provide a junior representative competition for under-16s and under-18s. In Queensland they have the under-16s Cyril Connell Cup and under-18s Mal Meninga Cup. The current NSWRL under-16s Harold Matthews and under-18s SG Ball competitions are a vital part of the development pathways used by NSW-based NRL clubs. In 2015, both these competitions contain 17 teams that play over nine weeks plus semi-finals and finals. In NSW, though, a lot of these junior representative teams include youngsters who have been recruited from NSW country areas at a young age and relocated to live and go to school in city areas. There are also many youngsters who choose to travel to Sydney each weekend to play in these competitions, requiring a huge time and travel commitment from their families. By introducing a country-based junior rep competition, the CRL believes it will now provide the state of NSW with an all-encompassing junior rep program. It will provide support, development and pathways not only for players, but coaches, sports trainers, match officials and club administrators.

It will also act as a retention tool in critical age groups for country rugby league. It will raise the standard of games and competitions in regional areas. It's a way of combating the vulnerabilities presented by competing sports. It will also increase the profile of our game throughout country NSW. The CRL lists as its goals the desire to provide distinct career pathways for regional country players, coaches, staff and administrators. It will also provide appropriate education programs where participants and communities are encouraged to become actively involved in rugby league on a regular basis. It hopes that this creates an environment that increases participation and promotes player retention. Such competitions will also create a harmonious relationship with indigenous bodies and health organisations, which can use rugby league as a platform to provide opportunities to players and promote specific messages. It is hoped this will create a cohesive and cooperative environment with stakeholders, encourage strong community support, promote healthy respect for rugby league and create a wider engagement of consumers to the game. I think in the long run it will also assist NRL clubs, as it will reduce the need to relocate young country hopefuls from their home base into city environments. There is always a moral dilemma we face when talent scouts come home from the bush carnivals with a list of players they want to recruit into the NRL junior rep programs.

Personally, I like to leave kids in their home environment and at school with their mates for as long as possible. But the reality is that if they are not involved in the junior rep programs that currently exist, they do fall behind pretty rapidly because they are not getting the same level of coaching, training and development. The general feeling at present is that if you are not in a junior rep system with an NRL club, then your chances of making it in the long run are seriously restricted. Most families take the gamble and send their kids to the big smoke with dreams of being an NRL player. Again, the reality is that only a very small percentage of these young players actually go on to realise this dream. It's very tough. I am always very honest with our junior rep players about the possibility of them becoming an NRL footballer. I tell them that everybody needs a Plan B. If you fail at football, or football fails you, then you need to be prepared for the bigger game of life. I have made it our goal at the Panthers that every kid who walks through the gate looking for a career in rugby league will at least leave with an education, qualification, trade or education in life. Our attitude is: no study, no work = no play.

Every NRL club recruits extensively from NSW country areas. This involves a huge commitment to cater for these players in their home life, education and football needs. The relocation of many young talented country players also represents a major drain on the quality and participation in regional areas. Many of the kids who come to Sydney as youngsters to try their luck rarely return home to their country town to play rugby league if they don't make it in the top grade here. This extended junior representative program proposed by the CRL would allow kids to stay in their home town longer, yet still get the benefit of coaching and development programs conducted by the professional NRL clubs. The NRL clubs will be able to assist in the program design and structures, coaching expertise, sports training expertise, player education and welfare, community engagement, junior league clinics and NRL player appearances. In time I have no doubt this will lead to investment in facility development and equipment for country regions. This proposal is a real positive for the future of rugby league. I believe all clubs should get behind this. At the Panthers we are committed to assisting in any way we can.

Phil Gould is general manager of Penrith Panthers.