Amid rural decline in many parts of Australia, rugby league is helping revive one NSW country town after a drought-breaking premiership win and a $500,000 funding boost for the local footy ground.

It is a field of dreams scenario for Trundle (population about 660 in 2011), in the state's central-west, which like many regional towns has struggled on and off the field in recent decades.

But the tide is turning and young families are starting to stay in the area.

Enrolments are up at the local school and the Trundle Boomers Rugby League first grade side has just taken out its first premiership in 35 years.

The side's captain-coach Adam Hall said it had been a long time coming for the league-loving town.

"Football in general has rocked the town … it does so much for the community," he said.

Trundle Rugby League's Club secretary Leisa Rowlands and captain-coach Adam Hall are thrilled with the resurgence. ( ABC Central West: Melanie Pearce )

Boom time for the Boomers

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Trundle has a long history of rugby league dating back to 1927, but the club has had its ups and downs, mainly due to conditions on the land.

The green and gold jerseys of the Trundle Boomers stayed in the back of the cupboard for many years because of drought and population decline.

But six years ago, with people starting to move back to the town as some found work in mining, the Boomers' seniors side rose from the ashes.

"Since it started again, the town's just started to thrive; I think people getting involved in the community gives everyone a sense of confidence," Mr Hall said.

Despite some 90-nil scores against the Boomers initially, the players finally hit their straps and took out the Woodbridge Cup premiership against home side Condobolin earlier this month.

Many Trundle fans and players are only just coming down off the adrenaline high after the win.

But those who have been working behind the scenes for years to boost facilities, crowd numbers and support for league in the town think it is only just the beginning.

The past wins of the Trundle Boomers Rugby League side are celebrated on the club's dressing shed. ( ABC Central West: Melanie Pearce )

A field of dreams

Trundle has a few claims to fame — it has arguably Australia's widest main street, the longest pub verandah in NSW, and it is home to the increasingly popular ABBA Festival, but now there are hopes it could add a crowd-pulling footy ground to the list.

Five years ago, the Trundle Progress Association came up with an ambitious 10-year, $1.5 million plan to upgrade the Berryman Park complex to make it a better equipped for sport, and more family-friendly.

Since then, community groups and the Parkes Shire Council have carried out improvements including a new canteen, irrigation system and playground equipment.

A big boost was received recently when $500,000 was granted for infrastructure upgrades under the state-run Clubgrants scheme, which is sourced from the registered clubs industry.

While there are many needs in small towns, such as better health, education and social services, Trundle Progress Association grants officer Andrew Rawsthorne said it was worth spending money on a sportsground.

"In small communities such as Trundle, organised sport plays a big role in building community pride and helping encourage young people to stay in the community, and encouraging healthy lifestyles," Mr Rawsthorne said.

"It's definitely worth every dollar."

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Lights, toilets, action

The money will be spent on new lights to allow training and games at night, and help helicopters to land for hospital emergencies.

The current rusty and crooked white fence around the ground will be replaced and moved to allow vehicles in closer to the field, to help to bring back the spectator atmosphere of the past.

There will be four new grandstands of seating and an upgrade of the toilets, which currently do not meet national standards.

Trundle Rugby League Club secretary Leisa Rowlands said new facilities, such as female-friendly changerooms, would directly flow on to participation in the women's league tag competition, which is an important part of the town's social fabric.

"It's given the women in town a purpose socially, mentally and health wise; it gives those women a reason to come out of their house and socialise on the weekends," Ms Rowlands said.

There are also hopes the ground improvements will boost children's sport such as cricket and athletics, and efforts are currently underway to re-start junior rugby league.

Ann-Marie Taylor is mother to two rugby league-mad sons who currently have to play with a team in the town of Forbes, about 45 minutes away.

One of the barriers to re-starting junior league in Trundle has been the facilities, but Ms Taylor was hopeful for change.

"It'd be nothing more exciting for myself as a parent of two young boys that one day they'd play for the Boomers," Ms Taylor said.

The Woodbridge Cup is a rugby league competition run in smaller towns in central-west NSW. ( ABC Central West: Melanie Pearce )

Kicking one for nan

For Adam Hall, Berryman Park at Trundle is extra special because it was where his grandmother taught him to kick a football.

He said his nan would be pleased by the upgrade and would like to see big crowds return to the ground.

Recalling the Boomers' big win a few weeks back, Mr Hall said he did not cry until his mother handed him a telephone so he could speak to his nan, who at the time was in hospital but still barracking for the Boomers.

"She goes 'How'd you do?' and I said 'Yeah Nan, we did it' and that brought a tear out," he laughed.

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