The 2017 NRL Community Awards saw volunteers and tireless workers from within the game celebrated with a special ceremony in Sydney during NRL grand final week.
Congratulations to Murgon Junior Rugby League Football Club who have been named the Grassroots Club of the Year: presented by Telstra.
Read more about the award and about the Murgon club below – and watch the video above:
Grassroots Club of the Year: presented by Telstra
The Grassroots Club of the Year will be presented to a rugby league club that has fostered participation and enjoyment at all levels, has become an integral part of their community and has shown innovation in administration.
Winner: Murgon Junior Rugby League Football Club from South Burnett, Queensland
Background: Facing an uncertain future last year, Murgon Junior Rugby League Club fought back from the brink.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the club’s newly-formed committee, plans were established to ensure that the club not only survived but that the town had teams to be proud of once more.
Nestled in South Burnett, a rural area with proud farming traditions, but facing high unemployment rates and a range of societal issues, Murgon JRLFC set about rebuilding both the club and the profile of the town itself.
There was a change in culture - the club now prides itself on a positive ethos that promotes respect, application, and an enjoyment of Rugby League over the need to win at all costs. As a result, registration numbers have soared and but so too have performances.
Away from the field, Murgon JRLFC have fostered reconciliation between previously divided local communities, ensuring that their club is a place where young people of all backgrounds are made to feel at home.
The club was integral during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In partnership with Cherbourg Junior Rugby League, they developed Domestic Violence Awareness Round.
Joining forces with local organisations, and harnessing the power of Rugby League, to highlight the devastating impact that domestic violence can have in communities.
A resounding success by all accounts, the Murgon JRLFC has fully embraced the NRL’s anti-domestic violence message and planning is already underway for an event that’s even bigger and better next year.
