The NRL has confirmed it will ditch its annual season launch, with funds for that event to instead be used on assisting local grassroots clubs across both NSW and Queensland affected by the floods.
The past week has seen much of northern NSW and south east Queensland ravaged by floods, with the natural disaster currently moving across Sydney.
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After the Brisbane Broncos announced they would donate $50,000 to local clubs impacted by flooding, as well as the cancellation of its club season launch, the NRL today responded with a similar gesture.
In conjunction with the QRL, NSWRL, and NRL clubs, $500,000 will be donated as part of the flood relief to assist local rugby league clubs.
“The scenes across south east Queensland and northern NSW have been devastating and there could be worse to come with significant rain still to hit Sydney and surrounding areas,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“From a rugby league perspective, many of our grassroots clubs have lost equipment and suffered damage in the flooding.
“We believe the funds allocated for the season launch could be better spent assisting those clubs to get back on the field. Rugby league clubs are part of the social fabric of our communities, they bring people together, and we want to work together to assist our clubs in returning to the field as soon as possible.
“What I’m most proud of is how our game has banded together in the most challenging of circumstances over the last two years and we are doing that again today.”
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