Since 2001, Telstra has been rewarding junior clubs from around the country with Telstra Junior Club Grants and this year during the post-match presentation of both NRL Telstra Men’s and Women's Premierships, Telstra awarded more than $150,000 to junior rugby league clubs.
As well as the $3000 to the junior club of each player in the grand final-winning teams, Telstra also provided an additional grant of $25,000 to the Junior District Association Club of the runner-up teams.
The Melbourne Storm received $25,000 for the Victorian Junior Rugby League association, while the Cronulla Sharks received $25,000 for Cronulla Junior Rugby League Association.
Funds will go towards player development, including new sporting equipment and registration fees, to help keep rugby league an exciting and inclusive game that caters for juniors to have fun, but also develop the skills of players to help them fulfil their dreams of being NRL and NRLW stars in the future.
The St Mary's club in the Penrith and District Junior Rugby League had five representatives in the Panthers' winning side (Brian To'o, Izack Tago, Jarome Luai, Lindsay Smith and Moses Leota) so they received $15,000 in total.
All members of the Panthers' NRL premiership side and the title-winning Sydney Roosters NRLW side received a $3000 Telstra Rugby League grant to go to their Australian junior club.
The junior clubs of the NRL Premiership winners Penrith Panthers:
Brian To'o - St Mary's
Brad Schneider - Western Lions JRL
Dylan Edwards - Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies
Isaah Yeo - St Johns Dubbo
Nathan Cleary - Brothers Penrith
Izack Tago - St Mary's
James Fisher-Harris - Bathurst Panthers
Jarome Luai - St Mary's
Liam Henry - Blayney Bears
Liam Martin - Temora JRL
Lindsay Smith - St Mary's
Luke Garner - Bilambil Jets
Matthew Eisenhuth - Wentworthville Magpies
Mitch Kenny - Windsor Wolves
Moses Leota - St Mary's
Paul Alamoti - Milperra Colts
Scott Sorensen - Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks
Sunia Turuva - Berala Bears
The junior clubs of the NRLW Premiership winners Sydney Roosters:
Amber Hall - Richmond Rovers
Isabelle Kelly - Berkley Vale Panthers
Jasmine Strange - Berkley Vale Panthers
Jayme Fressard - Berkley Vale Panthers
Jessica Sergis - Coogee-Randwick Wombats
Keeley Davis - Corrimal Cougars
Mia Wood - Cronulla-Caringbah RLFC
Millie Elliott - Bermagui-Cobargo Eels
Olivia Kernick - Wyong Roos
Otesa Pule - Caboolture Snakes
Pani Hopoate - Narraweena Hawks
Samantha Bremmer - Helensburgh Tigers RLFC
Samantha Economos - Goulburn Workers Bulldogs
Tarryn Aiken - Bilambil Jets
Tavarna Papalii - Nerang Roosters
Tiana Davison - Wyong Roos
Brydie Parker - Muswellbrook Rams
Jocelyn Kelleher - Central Coast Roosters.
