A NEW era is underway for grassroots rugby union in the Western Plains region and junior players are the key.

Taking charge of their own future, the Far West NSW Development Office has begun re-building the sport from the ground up with new staff supporting school-based rugby and new junior clubs taking root in more towns across the west.

Rugby development days, gala days, competitions and invitationals are all up for grabs for the expanding network of junior clubs across the region.

"We are making registration free for our junior clubs," said Development Officer Mark Pitts.

"Walgett and Bourke are already established, Cobar is small but promising, the Gulargambone club was formed in 2021 and Brewarrina and Nyngan are joining this year."

"Then next year there's going to be more new clubs," he said.

Rugby Development Officer Mark Pitts says the sport is on the move across the west.

The new structure is underpinned by funding from a variety of sources, which will help with transport, employment of eight development officers around the region, and the running of competitions, gala days and invitational matches.

Involvement by senior rugby clubs or the formation of stand-alone junior clubs is needed to support each local junior group.

The initiative has been bolstered since a visit in January 2022 by Rugby NSW CEO Paul Doorn and Peter Murphy, the Head of the Rugby Foundation.

"They recognised the huge potential for rugby out here and that here has been neglect in the past but we're out here bringing the game to bush communities," Mr Pitts said.

Boys and girls of all ages are being encouraged to get out on the paddock.

While the initial focus will be on primary aged players, the high schools competition for 2022 will be available for the Under 15s age group with 14s and 16s to be introduced in 2023.

Warren will host a monthly Friday night Rugby Sevens competition in the 2022 season and Mr Pitts said there is an opportunity to include other venues.

"This year the Western Plains Under 15s boys and girls rep team and the Under 12s rep teams will go to the Sevens Challenge in Forster later in the year," Mr Pitts said. "Next year we'll take a 15-a-side to go to the State Championships in those age groups."

"This is the promising year and then we will go bigger," he said.

"It is a total shift to have a presence throughout the region and educate a lot of kids who haven't been exposed to rugby."

"Then they'll realise how big rugby is worldwide and what the opportunities are, especially with the 2027 World Cup to be held in Australia."