More than 80 per cent of NRL club bosses do not support the launch of a Pride Round in the competition, according to a canvass conducted by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Herald approached all 34 NRL club chief executives and chairpersons to participate in an anonymous survey covering the big issues in the sport, with 25 responding.
The findings come as NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys recorded their lowest popularity rating since they assumed their roles.
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The NRL was excluded from this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in the wake of the controversy caused by Manly’s decision to wear a Pride jumper last season.
Seven Sea Eagles players boycotted the game in protest of wearing a rainbow Pride jersey, citing religious and cultural grounds.
V’landys has previously denied that the saga was the reason for the league’s omission, however its support of the LGBTQIA+ community has been the focus of public scrutiny.
A reported 82 per cent of club bosses told the Herald the NRL should not adopt a Pride Round initiative in rugby league.
More definitely, 57 per cent of respondents said they would not introduce a Pride jersey at their club, while 38 per cent said they would consider launching a Pride jersey – but only if players agreed.
At least one respondent said they would introduce a Pride jersey at their club regardless of the players’ views.
“Given what occurred at Manly, why would you not think that would occur at the other 16 clubs given how many Polynesian players – many of whom are obviously religious – are in the NRL?” one club boss anonymously told the Herald.
“If the NRL was going to consider such a round, then a round based on inclusivity would be better. You can’t have a Pride Round and promote it as being inclusive if you exclude people’s views of which you do not agree.”
V’landys has since suggested the idea of a Respect Round which would “include everyone” regardless of sexual preference, with Josh Aloiai, one of the seven Manly players to boycott the Pride jersey, throwing his support behind the initiative.
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