MULTICULTURAL
The Rugby League community is multicultural, reflecting the diversity of modern Australia. Historically, Rugby League has attracted players of English, Irish, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.
Later, the game attracted players whose parents and grandparents came from Lebanon, Italy, Greece and Malta. We are one of the most culturally diverse sports in Australia and New Zealand.
In recent times, players of Pacifica and Māori descent are increasingly reflected in rugby league rankings. Across the NRL competition, 45% identify as Pacifica and Māori and 12% as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
In our NRLW competition, 48% identify as Pacifica and Māori, and 14% identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. In both elite competitions we are represented by several countries including New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, England, Fiji and PNG. More than 12,000 of our Grassroots participants were born abroad.
Over the years, the NRL has developed and delivered a range of programs and events to promote and celebrate inclusion and multicultural diversity in the game. These include ‘In League In Harmony’, the Pacific Outreach Program, Harmony Cups and Pacific Tests. Since its inception, we have reached over 10,000 young people through In League in Harmony and currently have 50 staff working across the Pacific.
MULTICULTURAL CYCLE
Round 3 of the 2022 NRLM and Round 5 of the NRLW Premiership seasons will kick off the NRL’s first multicultural round. A themed round where we celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of every player, participant, staff member and fan in the Rugby League community.
It is important to note that the cycle is not about “otherness”, but about how each of us has a cultural heritage worth celebrating, and it is the crucible of these cultural influences that makes Australia and Rugby League such a rich and diverse community. be part of.
The 2022 theme of the NRL Multicultural Cycle is Stronger together.
Wherever you come from.
Every time you arrived.
We are stronger together.
PROGRAMS
