For the first time, the NSW Rugby League Western Sydney Academy organised coaching clinics for boys and girls aged5 to 12 at Craik Park, Austral.

The academy's junior league co-ordinator, Martin Shanahan, said coming to Austral and holding the clinics was breaking new ground.

Mr Shanahan said the academy intended to do more coaching clinics and recruiting of children to play the game in schools and for clubs in Liverpool. ``There'll be more clinics held here in the future, such has been the fantastic response by the kids here at Austral,'' he said.

The 50 registered children will take part in the five-week program. ``We'll hold more clinics in Austral in term four so the kids can enrol now.''

Bringelly resident and real estate owner Anthony Bucca has led the way for youngsters to have a rugby league club that they can call their own. This year he formed the Holy Family Bears Junior Rugby League Club, which has four teams under6s, under7s, under9s and under11s who play in the Parramatta Catholic Colleges competition. ``We train here at Craik Park and the kids love the fact they now have a club in their own backyard,'' Mr Bucca said. ``This is an exciting new dawn for rugby league in the rural areas of Liverpool.''

Details: nswwsa.com.au or Martin Shanahan, 47256000.