NSWRL match officials will wear a specially-designed, indigenous-themed jersey for a third straight season for all NSWRL Major Competitions this round (9-12 July) to celebrate the 2026 First Nations Round as part of NAIDOC week celebrations.
NAIDOC Week, which is held every year in July (it will be held on Sunday 5-12 July in 2026), celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year is especially significant for NSWRL after it launched its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in March, which strives to strengthen relationships with First Nations communities and organisations by building understanding and respect for their cultures, histories and contributions to Rugby League across the state.
“First Nations communities have played a pivotal role throughout the history of our great game and there have been many wonderful First Nations players from around NSW who have gone on to forge successful careers and represent at the highest level,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“First Nations Round is an opportunity for all to acknowledge that contribution and say thank you to the First Nations participants involved in Rugby League, whether that be as players, coaches, officials or volunteers.
“I urge everyone to get involved with First Nations Round and pay their respects accordingly.”
NSWRL match officials will wear the specially-designed jerseys in all NSWRL Major Competitions this round including The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, NSW Women’s Premiership, Jersey Flegg Cup, Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield.
It is the third consecutive season match officials have worn the jersey designed by NSWRL Community Football Referees Development Officer and former NRL referee Gavin Badger, based on the artwork of First Nations artist Daren Dunn, with a slightly different version again for 2026.
“It’s an honour for me to be involved in the design of the referees jersey for the NSWRL First Nations Round and one I thank our board for their continued support in this area,” NSWRL Community Football Referees Development Officer Gavin Badger said.
“The artwork created by NAIDOC award winning artist Daren Dunn is called ‘Home Country’, which is ‘Walaaybaa’ in Gamilaroi language; ‘Nguramban’ in Wiradjuri; and in Dharug it is ‘Dy inga ni nura’ or ‘Here, I see my country’.
“These themed jerseys are a great way to start discussions and through discussions we can continue to educate people about the culture and identity of this great country.”
NSWRL’s RAP, which runs from 2026-28, forms part of the NSWRL’s Strategic Plan and has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. Over the next two years, it address issues including relationships, opportunities, respect and governance in the game as it looks to create a unified, inclusive and diverse Rugby League family that embraces culture, histories and perspectives.
NSWRL, which also has strong long-term community partnerships with KARI Foundation and Deadly Choices, is already involved extensively in several programs or initiatives involving First Nations communities including:
- Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP) camp for Under 16s Boys which brings together a squad of First Nations athletes from around NSW before a team is chosen for a representative match
- Harmony Nines tournament for heritage teams, including First Nations, for Under 18s and Under 16s Boys and Girls
- Deadly Choices partnership in conjunction with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), which encourages First Nations people to receive health checks
- First Nations Round for NSWRL Major Competitions coinciding with NAIDOC week, which has seen match officials don specially designed jerseys
- First Nations Referees Development Camp, an invitational camp designed to help First Nations officials upskill in physical and technical aspects
- PCYC Nations of Origin, the brainchild of respected NSWRL official the late Steve ‘Bear’ Hall, brings together Under 15s schoolboys and girls to compete in a range of sports tournaments, including Rugby League
- Clontarf Academy partnership, which focuses on using Rugby League to support the education, wellbeing and life outcomes of young First Nations men
- KARI Foundation partnership, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to strengthen First Nations communities through cultural programs, education and community engagement
- NSWRL specially commissioned Acknowledgement of Country video featuring Stan Grant that has been distributed for use to clubs across NSW, and a piece of artwork by First Nations artist Daren Dunn that illustrates the NSWRL’s First Nations connections
Clubs can help celebrate First Nations Round by:
- an Acknowledgment of Country before the main game;
- a Welcome to Country involving local elders or Aboriginal Land Council before the main game;
- a Smoking Ceremony involving local elders before the main game;
- a moment of silence for the Stolen Generation before the main game;
- having traditional dancers before the main game;
- an Acknowledgment of Country in the program;
- referencing the name of the traditional country you are on in the Acknowledgment of Country;
- inviting local Land Council and Elders to the game.
