Scott Mieni began his 50-year journey with Rugby League as an eight-year-old Bourke junior, but it’s the ever-evolving game that drives the NSWRL First Nations Volunteer of the Year and NRL Indigenous Community Award winner to stay involved.
“I think it’s the fact the game’s always developed and I want to stay involved in the game not to make progress, but to be a part of it,” Mieni (pictured far left, far right) explained.
“The game is changing so let’s be a part of the change and stay with the change.”
Having finished his playing career back in 2000, which included four NSW Country appearances and 42 first grade games for the Gold Coast, Mieni has since dedicated his time supporting and mentoring First Nations people in Rugby League.
He has plenty of experience knowing all the benefits the game can provide but focuses now on giving back and sharing that knowledge to help younger players thrive both on and off the field.
“It’s about your preparation and what you actually want to do,” he said.
“It’s about finding your drive, and your thinking on what you need to do to strive to be better at anything – not just Rugby League.
“I explain you can be the best footballer in the world, whether it’s 18 down to 14 years old, or even opens.
“But the thing is you just need that education to assist you further down the track in your development.”
While coaching wasn’t always something Mieni envisioned post-career, it was a chance request following his two-year stint with Lithgow first grade that saw him take on the role.
He quickly learned what he needed to foster a strong team environment.
“My first year I just didn’t know how I’d go,” Mieni recalled.
“But I learnt then, that first year of coaching, I’ve got to come back a bit to the field.
“I’ve not got to worry about myself as a player, I need to worry about my players as a coaching staff and how to come together and be on the same page.”
More recently as a coach, Mieni has played a key role in the growth of women’s Rugby League and its dramatic increase in participation on the Mid North Coast, including the inclusion and development of First Nations women and girls.
Mieni has also been involved in structural change with the creation of culturally appropriate judiciary panels to produce fairer outcomes for First Nations players, setting a benchmark in the relationship between First Nations communities and Rugby League governance.
In 2023 he became a NSWRL Life Member for his extensive contribution to the game throughout the state.
A long-term advocate for inclusion in Rugby League and moving the sport forward, Mieni continues to lead by example while ensuring the future of the game is in good hands, with his passion rubbing off on every player he has mentored.
And while he doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon, Mieni had some words of advice for anyone looking to find a role in Rugby League in their local community.
“There’s people out there, male and female, that might be giving away the sport or love the sport,” he said.
“But you can get into admin, the medical side, yellow shirts, blue shirts etc., and the logistics or operations side of it too.
“There’s many facets of the game and administration that you can be a part of, which can take you to bigger and better places.”
