Indigenous Programs /

The NSWRL is committed to the Indigenous community and will continue to engage communities and improve lives. As a proud supporter of Indigenous Rugby League, through its range of carnivals, camps, clinics and projects NSWRL also connects to the wider Indigenous communities.

The programs and partners the NSWRL is involved in includes:

KARI Foundation – the KARI Foundation develops various programs relating to culture (connecting Aboriginal community and educating non-Aboriginal Australia about the Aboriginal community), education, employment and Aboriginal business enterprise, sport and healthy lifestyle, creative and performing arts, families and communities and sector leadership. The NSWRL has partnered with the KARI Foundation to work together to implement programs in relation to these areas.

Deadly Choices campaign – a program backed by Federal Government funding which empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make healthy choices for themselves and their families – to stop smoking, to eat good food and exercise daily. Deadly Choices, in partnership with the NSWRL, also encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access their local Community Controlled Health Service and complete an annual health check with every participant receiving a Deadly Blues shirt.

Clontarf Partnership – the Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society. The NSWRL works with Clontarf across their many programs including their Rugby League days held annually across NSW.

KARI Foundation Talented Aboriginal Athlete Program (TAAP) – a camp designed to expose young male and female Indigenous Rugby League players to NSWRL High Performance programs. Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has helped conduct clinics at the three-day long camp which also provides information on NRL careers or school-based apprenticeships or traineeships.

NSW Under 16s Koori vs Queensland Under 16s Murri – a team is chosen from the TAAP program to play a match against a Queensland Under 16s Murri team with the winner taking the Steve “Bear” Hall Shield named after the late, long-serving Indigenous Development Officer responsible for many of the Indigenous initiatives at the NSWRL.

PCYC Nations of Origin – the NSWRL facilitates the Rugby League side of the annual tournament with teams representing the different traditional local Aboriginal nations across NSW which participate in a round robin tournament during the State of Origin period.

Indigenous Referees camp – the NSWRL facilitates the training and development of 30 referees for the PCYC Nations of Origin with the hope they will return to their communities to continue refereeing in their local districts.

Ricky Walford Shield – the NSWRL, in partnership with Walgett Primary School, helps facilitate this tournament for Primary School children across Western NSW to honour legendary St George winger Ricky Walford as well as supplying prizes and player of the match awards.

Ronny Gibbs 7s – the NSWRL, in partnership with former Rugby League hardman Ronny Gibbs, helps facilitate this tournament for High School children across western NSW as well as supplying prizes and player of the match awards. This year will be the 25th running of the event.

Reconciliation Action Plan – the NSWRL is currently finalising a Reconciliation Action Plan. A RAP enables organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.