The NRL has named 46 ambassadors for 2017, including Kiwi Ferns star Georgia Hale and Jerome Ropati from the Vodafone Warriors plus five others who were at the club during their playing careers – Nathan Friend, Joe Galuvao, David Solomona, Brent Tate and Clinton Toopi.
The Ambassadors will join NRL clubs and the wider NRL community in supporting numerous community initiatives throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, all aimed at improving lives and educating communities on positive wellbeing.
Among the record 46 ambassadors are 10 women, 10 Pasifika ambassadors, with 15 of the 46 taking on the role for the first time.
NRL general manager of community Ellen Beale was delighted to welcome many of the ambassadors to an induction at Rugby League Central this week.
“Rugby league is fortunate to have many within our playing groups and our communities who go above and beyond, often without fuss, to help improve the lives of others,” said Beale.
“Our ambassadors are an invaluable extension of our many community programmes, including supporting positive mental wellbeing, eradicating domestic violence and ensuring safe and supportive learning environments for students.
“I look forward to working alongside all of our ambassadors as we continue to use rugby league’s voice to actively contribute to making our communities more inclusive.”
The NRL’s community programmes are aligned to three key pillars: Health, Respect and Learn.
Programmes are supported by expert partners, who enable and guide decisions aimed at providing positive experiences and outcomes.
2017 NRL AMBASSADORS
Roy Asotasi
Matthew Bowen
Sam Bremner
Danny Buderus
Terry Campese
Petero Civoniceva
Ben Creagh
Jamie Feeney
Mario Fenech
Nathan Friend
Joe Galuvao
Tazmin Gray
Dene Halatau
Georgia Hale
Steph Hancock
Bronson Harrison
Nathan Hindmarsh
Justin Hodges
Jenni-Sue Hoepper
Dan Hunt
Dallas Johnson
Brett Kimmorley
Matt King
Jason King
Renae Kunst
Darren Lockyer
Alex McKinnon
Steven Menzies
Anthony Minichiello
Karyn Murphy
Corey Parker
Frank Puletua
Jerome Ropati
George Rose
Ben Ross
Andrew Ryan
Ruan Sims
John Skandalis
David Solomona
Maddie Studdon
Brent Tate
Alan Tongue
Clinton Toopi
Dean Widders
Craig Wing
Rebecca Young
2016 NRL Community Programmes
Ambassadors and players spent more than 35,000 hours outside of rugby league commitments supporting local, regional and rural communities
More than 250,000 school children were educated on the importance of wellbeing as part of the NRL’s annual Community Carnival
More than 350 hours of face to face delivery of the NRL’s In League In Harmony multicultural programme
98% transition rate of students into employment and further education as part of the NRL’s Indigenous School to Work programme
24 players from the NRL, Jillaroos and Touch Football Australia self-nominated to become NRL State of Mind ambassadors – supporting those suffering from mental illness
NRL ambassadors visited more than 130,000 school children last year, imparting education and wellbeing messages across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
NRL Community Pillars and Lead Programmes
NRL Health: State of Mind, NRL Wellbeing
NRL Respect: Voice Against Violence, In League In Harmony, Tackle Bullying, Pride in Sport
NRL Learn: School to Work, Learning with League, Rugby League Reads, Dream; Believe; Achieve
