Former Group 10 presidents wants NRL to help fund ex-players move to regional areas

Last week rumours were circulating that the new free-to-air television deal for the world's leading rugby league competition could go for up to $600 million.

Chapman, who is a former St Pat's footballer and president, would like to see some of that money go back into country clubs, encouraging ex-NRL players to play out here and give back to local communities.

"If clubs can attract an ex-NRL player to their town and the promise of a job and pay them, I'd love the NRL to say, 'If you're willing to cough up x amount of dollars to this player to captain-coach and find him a job, we'll match it'," he said.

READ MORE:

"The players do need to be enticed to come out here a little bit. If the NRL can prop up their wages, potentially match clubs or an arbitrary amount.

"More importantly, instead of the NRL just putting all of that money in the player's back pocket, they would also need to spend x amount of their time being a coaching coordinator to the junior club.

"I think there'd be a lot of NRL players come out here if they could be on an attractive salary propped up by the NRL.

"It'll also be really good to see them teaching the next generation of kids the skills and drills of making it into the big time."

Group 10 had six teams competing in premier league this season - Bathurst Panthers, St Pat's, Orange CYMS, Orange Hawks, Mudgee Dragons and Lithgow Workies.

Blayney Bears and Cowra Magpies both pulled out of premier league for this season, fielding just teams in the lower grounds in 2021, with Oberon Tigers dropping out entirely, having played the past two years in the Mid West Cup.

Both Group 10 and Group 11 are set to merge in 2022 to form the Western Premiership, with the teams that will participate in the new competition yet to be announced.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: