The NRL will celebrate Indigenous Round during Round 10, with every player and match official wearing Indigenous inspired jerseys for just the second time in NRL Telstra Premiership history.
Launched on the traditional lands of the Turrubal and Yuggera People at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Indigenous Round will see the NRL use its extensive reach to highlight significant social issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – including promoting respectful and positive behaviours across communities.
Welcome to Country ceremonies will occur at all matches, as well as pre-match cultural performances and gift exchanges between Captains prior to kick-off.
The NRL, who has been working closely with Reconciliation Australia for more than a decade, will again use the round to promote and facilitate respect, trust and positive relationships between the rugby league community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council Member, Joshua Creamer said the NRL’s commitment and positive influence to First Nations peoples is undeniable.
“The NRL was the first national sporting organisation to commit to a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) back in 2008 and the first to achieve ‘Elevate’ status earlier this year - the highest of four levels for RAPs,” Mr Creamer said.
“As an Indigenous man and rugby league fan, I’m proud to see the game continually using its positive influence to drive social change in Indigenous communities throughout Australia and beyond.
“Not just this week, but every single day.”
Every NRL club is working towards delivering their own RAP, with the majority of clubs already completing their initial RAP status.
NRL Chief Operating Officer Nick Weeks agreed that Indigenous Round was far more important than the eight games played across the round.
“Indigenous Round remains one of the most passionate and vibrant weeks on the rugby league calendar and is an enormous opportunity to show just how much the NRL is committed to uniting and inspiring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike,” Mr Weeks said.
Tickets are still available to all Indigenous Round matches, including the double-header match at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday between the Storm vs. Titans (first match) and Sea Eagles vs. Broncos (second match).
For more information about the NRL’s commitment to Indigenous communities, head to nrl.com/community/indigenous.
