CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND Junior Rugby League has kicked off the 2015 season in their senior age competitions.
Engadine Dragons first grade team started where they left off from grand final day in 2014, on Sunday at Anzac Oval, defeating Cronulla-Caringbah 12-4.
In the 2014 grand final last September, the Dragons breathed fire, thrashing Cronulla-Caringbah 62-0 at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware.
Cronulla-Sutherland Junior Rugby League secretary Judd O'Shea said the under-15 first division through to first grade competitions started on Sunday.
"It all begins for the juniors with the under-6s to under-13 age groups this Saturday," O'Shea said.
"The under-14 first division competition starts on Sunday.
"This year we have 3600 registered players."
As everyone knows in most junior leagues, the game's lifeline are volunteers who coach, manage, join committees, fundraise and help out in many ways.
"We have great sponsorship packages for businesses within the Sutherland Shire available as well," O'Shea said.
Back in Dragons territory the St George Junior Rugby Football League Inc season began last weekend.
St George secretary Cathy Crowe and her committee work voluntarily for the code. And they give a big slab of their life to footy.
Cronulla and St George junior leagues are among the very few that are run by volunteers.
Many junior leagues such as Parramatta and Penrith have full-time paid staff.
It's high time the NRL, through a junior league grants program, find the cash and get Cronulla and St George the funding to employ people full-time.
It's getting harder and harder for people with full-time jobs during the week to then double up and work countless hours for junior footy.
The Dragons and Sharks NRL clubs could find some cash to assist with their respective junior leagues.
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust and Sharks group chief executive Lyall Gorman should get cracking.