Penrith play regular games in Bathurst. Credit:AAP "We feel we've put together a blueprint that the CRL could potentially take to other NRL clubs. If they have the resources to do it, they could partner with one of the existing zones in the country to enhance their development." The Panthers will continue to field under-16s and under-18s teams in Sydney's Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions, but will now also field "Penrith Panthers"-branded teams in those age groups in the Western Region Championships. At a time when the NRL has set aside $100 million to invest in grassroots rugby league, the Panthers have proven you don't need to spend big to get results in the bush. Penrith spend just under $2.5 million to run all of their junior programs, an investment that begins with its under-20s side and covers every tier down to the youngest registered player. The total cost of running programs at the three academies – St Johns College in Dubbo, Red Bend Catholic College in Forbes and Charles Sturt University in Bathurst – is just $20,000. The club recently ran an under-15s camp for just $7500. The CRL has no doubt that if the NRL wants bang for its buck, it could do worse than fund clubs that are willing to partner with regional zones. "The model they've got will be the blueprint for all regions," CRL official Bert Lowrie said of Penrith's initiative. "They're setting up academies, but not in the bricks-and-mortar sense. They will put their expertise into those academies but what they won't be doing – and they have made this very clear – is coming out to take over.

Country Rugby League wants every NRL franchise to be responsible for developing a region. Credit:Paul Barkley "In the Penrith model, they're coaching our coaches, they're working with our sports trainers, they're helping prepare our 16s and 18s for our championships and, underneath that, they work with our 14s and 15s as well. It all just flows. "They will put a Penrith development team wearing the Penrith colours into the Southern region championships, which is huge, a massive step. We don't want clubs to be given an area and then just come in and cherry-pick the best kids. We want clubs to come in and do what Penrith is doing, to come in and actually invest in the region." Some NRL clubs are already making significant investments in regional areas. The Roosters are developing talent on the Central Coast, while Newcastle and Canberra provide appropriate resources for their surrounding areas. However, the CRL believes every NRL franchise should be responsible for developing a region.

Penrith are already making a difference in the greater west. Dubbo's Western Rams are more than 400 kilometres away from Sydney, but their academy gives them access to facilities and coaching that is on par with what the best young juniors receive in the city. When Panthers CEO Bryan Fletcher, a Coonamble product, recently addressed the region's players, his message was clear: "We don't see you as a cost, we see you as an investment." "I've had dealings with other clubs and they are all very good, but these guys have taken it to another level in their plan for the future," said the rugby league co-ordinator for St Johns College, Andy Haycock. "Grassroots footy, especially out in this part, is crying out for help. For them to come on board gives us a feeling that we're not at the end of the world with it, that there are people who care for us in that multimillion-dollar business." Panthers forward Isaah Yeo, a Dubbo product, wishes the academy system was available when he was coming through the ranks. "I think it's great Panthers is getting on the front foot with building development pathways for country kids to make it to the NRL," Yeo said. "Having grown up in Dubbo, I know the rugby league community out there will embrace everything Panthers is doing.

"To get access to elite-level coaching at an early age will benefit not just the players, but the game as a whole. There is so much young talent in country rugby league and what Panthers is doing will help take it to another level."