The NSWRL will celebrate Licensed Clubs Round this weekend to acknowledge the valuable contribution that licensed clubs make to community Rugby League every season, including providing more than $50 million in funding last year.
Fans are being encouraged to call in and visit their local club on 22-23 July to say thanks for all the tireless assistance they provide to sporting teams and the community, with their contributions also helping to build grandstands, upgrade playing surfaces and supply thousands of playing kits.
Licensed clubs have also played a crucial role in assisting clubs that were devastated by the floods last year, particularly in northern NSW, after providing more than $250,000 in funding.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said licensed clubs were the lifeblood of the Rugby League community.
“Licensed Clubs Round is an important initiative that provides all of us with an opportunity to say thank you to licensed clubs for the support they have provided over a long period of time,” Trodden said.
“The financial contribution they make to our game is reflected in many ways and they played a vital role in helping clubs that were impacted by the floods in 2022 get back on their feet.
Licensed Clubs Round 2023
“It is one of the great traditions of our game to head back to your local club after a hard-fought game and I encourage everyone to show their support this weekend.”
The Licensed Clubs Round celebrations will include the Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup match between Ryde-Eastwood Hawks and Hills Bulls at TG Milner Field at 3pm, Sunday 23 July, being live streamed on NSWRL TV, and a junior Rugby League activation.
The round will also include a social media campaign to acknowledge the support provided by the 96 Leagues Club Australia members in NSW with the headings, ‘Supporting Rugby League’ and ‘Support them, as they support you’ and the hashtag #THANKSLCA.
There will also be a video shown on the NSWRL social media channels and shared with all clubs that has been voiced by True Blue and Leagues Clubs Australia ambassador Anthony Minichiello.
Leagues Clubs Australia Chief Executive Don Hammond said licensed clubs had an important role to play in helping to support the game from grassroots to elite competitions.
“Licenced clubs nurture a sense of belonging, social connection and support amongst the community in a safe environment,” Hammond said.
“Last year licenced clubs supported the game of Rugby League from grassroots to the NRL by the way of $50 million in grants and donations, as well as countless volunteer hours.
“Licenced clubs rallied around the junior Rugby League clubs in the Northern Rivers region that were devastated by floods last year and helped get them back on their feet with $250,000 in support.”
Some of the funding that was provided by licensed clubs to flood-affected clubs last year included:
- $25,000, Kyogle Junior Rugby League
- $10,000, Camden Haven Eagles Junior Rugby League Football Club (JRLFC)
- $10,000, Wauchope Blues JRLFC
- $10,000, Port City Breakers JRLFC
- $10,000, Port Macquarie Sharks JRLFC
- $10,000, Lake Cathie Raiders JRLFC
- $5,000, St Marys Rugby League Club
