The National Rugby League (NRL) has today become the first national sporting organisation in Australia to launch a second ‘Elevate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The latest evolution of the game’s commitment to reconciliation aims to build on the success of the NRL’s first Elevate RAP which saw the establishment of an elite Women’s Indigenous Players Advisory Group, a further bolstering of Indigenous representation across all levels of the game, and the 10-year milestone of the School to Work program.
Currently, 17% of the NRL’s national workforce identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples on top of a professional playing group that is made up of 12% Indigenous male players and 17% Indigenous female players across the NRL and NRLW competitions respectively.
In community Rugby League, Indigenous representation is even higher with almost 20% of registered players identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, while the School to Work program has now supported more than 3000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Australian Rugby League Commissioner Professor Megan Davis said the NRL’s second Elevate RAP is the most ambitious undertaking the game has made towards reconciliation, supporting Rugby League’s vision of being the most inclusive and diverse sports community in the country.
“Rugby League is incredibly proud of its connection with First Nations communities and has embraced a leadership role in being a strong and consistent voice for progress when it comes to strengthening relationships between the wider community and our First Nations people,” Prof Davis said.
“Today we have taken another important step on a journey that began 16 years ago for the NRL when it launched its first RAP, and at every step we have been at the forefront of driving change within our own organisation, within our industry, and within the wider sports and media landscape.
“Our second Elevate RAP reflects how far Rugby League has progressed as a sport and is an ambitious, future-focussed plan to ensure that the NRL continues to maintain its leadership position over the next four years.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said: “While we are proud of our achievements as a game, our job is never done, and we will continue to challenge ourselves and put our words into action to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel a sense of pride and opportunity through their involvement in Rugby League.
”The Commission and the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council have delivered a Reconciliation Action Plan that will take the next important and bold step in our commitment to reconciliation.”
The NRL’s second Elevate RAP aims to align with the recommendations of Reconciliation Australia’s aspiration of moving the reconciliation movement from ‘safe to brave’ and sets out a series of commitments for the NRL to deliver upon in the areas of relationships, respect, and opportunity from 2024-2028.
The RAP is available to view and download here.
