WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
The early 2000s had Walla Rugby. I was heavily involved and it was a good concept. The ARU gave some gear and coach the coaches support, but it was run by parents/volunteers, so It really only cost some training kit and free tickets. In my country town (central West) it was on Friday nights so didn't clash with league (who most of the kids played anyway) and there were a lot of converts and the parents had a few bevvies if they weren't helping. was mostly drills and learning the skills of the game, but there was also Gala days on Sundays around the region and if you were lucky you got to play at half time of a test match. Within a few years we had an u13's 15"s and 17's playing in a proper comp. It's gone now, and so have those junior teams
That sort of initiative could be revived as part of such a plan. Particularly at the club level. Have DO operating out of the hubs make initial contact featuring several visits and setting up the pathway to funnel any interested kids to clubs running something similar to the Walla Rugby program of the early 2000s.