Group Seven Rugby League's participation numbers continue to soar despite COVID-19

The latest figures released by NSWRL highlight the code's growth in the region and Group Seven is regarded as one of the top community-based competitions in the state.

Since the start of the 2019 season, combined male and female numbers, ranging from under 6s to first grade, are up 10 per cent, with 4054 players lacing up the boots each weekend.

That number grows even further to 4634 registered players, if you include the Shellharbour Sharks and Highlands Storm, who have joined Group Seven, from Illawarra and Group Six respectively, since 2019.

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Specifically, male participation is up 2.7 per cent, while females grew 36 per cent (which includes both tackle and league tag) - with both figures being higher than the state average.

"Group Seven is very passionate about increasing rugby league participation in the area and are very pleased that our numbers are growing," said Group Seven president Scot McLaurin.

"We have a number of initiatives across juniors and seniors to continue this trend into 2022 and are very excited about what lies ahead for rugby league in this area."

The NSWRL recently released its participation figures, coinciding with its 114th birthday, which dates back to its formation on August 8, 1907 - with the first competition game being played on April 20, 1908.

Overall, the number of total participants rose more than five per cent (from 102,718 in 2019 to 107,980), male participants (85,170) recorded their highest growth in six years while female participants broke 20,000 for the first time in history - representing a 20 per cent increase from 2019.

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NSWRL chief executive David Trodden thanked all stakeholders for their ongoing support in what has been another challenging season for the code, with the NSW government currently suspending community sport across Greater Sydney until August 28 following another COVID-19 outbreak.

"The fact that so many participants signed up to play rugby league this season is a reflection of its popularity and the important role it can play in helping the community to heal after the challenges we have all faced," Trodden said.

"It's particularly pleasing to see an upturn in some of our key rugby league heartland areas, in both the Sydney metropolitan areas and regional NSW, and I'm confident this trend will continue with all the hard work our participants, officials and volunteers put in every year."