About /

We want our players to be people of character.

We want all our players, whatever their age or stage of playing career, to be great ambassadors for their Club and for their sport.

We want the public and fans to know that they can rely on the players they admire to live up to high standards of behaviour, maturity and integrity.

We want our players to be men & women of character, and we are prepared to do everything we can to help them become great role-models and leaders.

Our CHARACTERWISE programs are developed in partnership with expert advisory groups and are co-delivered by current and former players who have been trained as NRL Education Ambassadors and volunteer their time to this important work.

We want all our players, whatever their age or stage of playing career, to be great ambassadors for their Club and for their sport.

We want the public and fans to know that they can rely on the players they admire to live up to high standards of behaviour, maturity and integrity.

Rugby League Embraces diversity and inclusion, celebrating a rich mix of cultural backgrounds and beliefs. A strong connection to culture sets up a strong foundations for our players.

Nigel Vagana- NRL Wellbeing and Education Manager

Each year the NRL/RLPA Welfare & Education Committee decides on the mandatory social responsibility and personal development workshops that should be delivered to all players and staff involved with elite teams from the U16s to the NRL.

These mandatory sessions may include: Social Media, Mental Wellbeing, Cultural Awareness, Illicit Drugs & Anti-Doping, Alcohol, Respectful Relationships and more.

We want the public and fans to know that they can rely on the players they admire to live up to high standards of behaviour, maturity and integrity.

Vision

Our people are better for having been part of the Rugby League community.

Our objective is to create individuals who are:

• Balanced in life
• Proud of the game
• Dedicated to professional development and life-long learning
• Self aware and self confident
• Good team members
• Respectful
• Wise and ethical decision makers

Key Objectives

Leadership Development:
To develop strong leaders in the programs among players who demonstrate a sense of ownership of and the ability to reinforce the philosophy of Welfare and Education both in their clubs the game.

Educational Engagement:
Increase the enrolment and completion rates of post-secondary education and VET programs among the players.

Vocational Awareness and Career Resilience:
To implement a vocational program at every level of the game that equips players with the skills and knowledge to manage their career through their lifespan.

Social Responsibility:
To deliver and reinforce consistent age and stage specific social responsibility messages at every level of the game.

No Work, No Study, No Play:
To transform the culture across the whole of Rugby League in relation to player education, employment and positive off-field engagements that will in turn enhance the brand of the game.

Career Transition:
To ensure every NRL player aged 28 years and over has identified a preferred future career direction and is actively engaged in education, work experience and networking strategic to embarking on their chosen career path on retirement from the NRL.

Retired Players Program:
Players who have retired from the NRL are provided the support to adjust to and enjoy the next phase of their lives.

Mental Health Support:
To provide a mental health support network that is promoted across the whole of the game.

Structure

The Wellbeing and Education Committee collaborates and relies on the expertise of the following groups and institutions: