NSWRL Inclusion Champions Program
NSWRL is committed to making Rugby League the game for all, welcoming and recognising people of all backgrounds, races, cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and geographical locations. We strive to create an environment for all, free from discrimination and promoting respectful and positive behaviours and values, where people feel welcome, safe, represented, considered in decision making, and able to participate and perform.
NSWRL understands the important role sport can play in promoting social inclusion, community health and well-being, values and anti-discrimination, and most importantly, a sense of security and belonging - one of the NSWRL's key missions. We encourage participation by all individuals both on the field, playing across all levels and formats of the game, and off the field, coaching, officiating, volunteering, or supporting our sport.
In order to grow our game and create an environment where everyone truly feels welcome, we are committing to transformational change and ensuring inclusion in embedded in everything we do. We have developed an Inclusion framework across five key areas - First Nations, LGBTQ+ Pride, gender equity, cultural diversity and all abilities.
The NSWRL Board and NSWRL Executive will play a key role in driving this change and fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that will allow everyone in our community who wants to belong to our sport to feel a part of the Rugby League family.
To achieve this across the wider Rugby League community, we need the help and support of people who are passionate about their clubs and creating an environment for everyone to equally participate in our sport. Therefore we are seeking to establish a network of Inclusion Champions. This includes players, coaches, officials and administrators at any competition level or anyone involved with the NSWRL in any capacity. Inclusion Champions can be members of the communities represented in our Inclusion framework or allies, prepared to publicly advocate for a greater sense of belonging in our sport.
Role of Inclusion Champions
The NSWRL's Inclusion Champion's role is to be an advocate for players, coaches, officials, administrators, and prospective members at their club, from communities represented in our Inclusion framework, by engaging with club committee members and key personnel.
Inclusion Champions will assist their clubs to provide a safe respectful and welcoming environment for people from these communities in their clubs ad wider community to participate and prosper.
Inclusion Champions will help to elevate the voices and perspectives of these people and communities, promote acceptance and inclusion and encourage others to practice allyship to demonstrate there is a place for everyone in Rugby League.
Expectations
NSWRL's Inclusion Champions are expected and will be supported to undertake the following roles and responsibilities:
- Attend online or face-to-face Inclusion training when offered
- Participate in Inclusion community events under the NSWRL banner or in your own community
- Advocate for people across key Inclusion areas at your club, including players, coaches, officials, administrators, competitors and prospective members, by engaging with club committee members and key personnel.
- Liaise with the NSWRL Active Inclusion Allies to coordinate a Inclusion Round / visibility event for your club.
- Actively communicate inclusive practices at your club
- Report / communicate activities / progress to NSWRL Active Inclusion Allies.
Expression of Interest
The NSWRL Inclusion Champions program is designed to assist NSWRL in promoting a sense of belonging via a dedicated group of community club volunteers. We encourage all interested people within NSWRL community clubs to apply, whether you identify as part of these communities or as a community ally.
To express interest in assuming a volunteer role as a NSWRL Inclusion Champion, please email NSWRL Head of Communication and Community Engagement Tracue Edmondson, with the following:
- Name and your connection to NSWRL
- Reason for interest in this opportunity
- Confirmation of your capability and willingness to undertake the expected roles and responsibilities as described above
- Confirmation you are comfortable being identified publicly as an Inclusion Champion on NSWRL's website
Email Tracie at tedmondson@nswrl.com.au. If you would like to have a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please call Tracie on 0416 258 342.
2025 NSWRL Inclusion Champions Seminar
As part of the Australian Pride In Sport Festival, the NSWRL ran a FREE Inclusion Champions Seminar with an LGBTQ+ Pride Focus at the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence on Saturday 25 March. The inaugural seminar provided NSWRL Inclusion Champions with Ally training and an introduction to the NSWRL Inclusion Active Allies and Inclusion program.
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2025 NSWRL Inclusion Champions Seminar
NSW True Blue Rachel Pearson, who is in a same-sex relationship was the guest speaker and talked of her lived experience in the Rugby League community.
New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
