Rugby league – and sport in general – has tremendous power, and I love it when that power is used to initiate and drive change in society.

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, the NRL will make history by having its own float at Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for the very first time.

Keep your eye out for the hashtag ‘GAYMEOn’, and a float lined with astroturf, rainbow goalposts, cheerleaders, NRL greats such as Mario Fenech and Dean Widders, and a Tina Turner drag queen taking centre stage.

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I am also hopeful that current players will show their support for inclusion and diversity, despite the challenge of the Mardi Gras being scheduled the same week as the opening round of the NRL season.

Current players missing from the float would be a missed opportunity and should be a priority – without player buy-in, the capacity to drive change is compromised.

So why on the opening round of the NRL season should our attention be turned away from the miraculous feats of our athletes on the field, and instead focused on a float dancing its way down Oxford Street?

For rugby league to continue to grow, it needs to be diverse and inclusive. While the float is important to encourage diversity, freedom of expression and participation in rugby league, this is part of a much broader movement to eliminate homophobia in sport, which started at last year’s Mardi Gras.

Last year, the ‘anti-homophobia in sport’ float led the parade. Several representatives from other sports were on the float like Alex Blackwell, the openly gay captain of the Sydney Thunder WBBL team, Elyse Perry (Sydney Sixers), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans) and Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC). Paul Langmack was the only representative from the NRL, indicating that the league was neglecting this issue.

One year later, the NRL is leading the way. But having a float hardly means our work is done.



Incidents in the past suggest there is work to do. In May 2014, Mitchell Moses was suspended for two matches following a homophobic slur which he made during the under-20s State of Origin. In 2015, Issac Luke was fined $10,000 after he made a homophobic slur on social media.

In both scenarios, the NRL acted quickly and came down hard on the players. Moses became the first player suspended for breaching the NRL’s anti-vilification policy, and both players were required to take part in anti-vilification education and awareness training.

The message from NRL Central in both scenarios was focused on inclusion, that rugby league is a place for everyone, irrespective of race, gender or sexuality.

The NRL is a microcosm of society, and as long as homophobia is an issue in Australia, it will be reflected in our sporting codes.

As a sport, the NRL is often criticised because of the behaviour of the minority – but the reality is, that poor behaviour happens in all sporting codes and in homes across Australia every day.

The occurrence of these incidents should not prevent us from taking action and using the power of sport to initiate change in our communities on a broad range of social issues.

Over the past 12 months, I have seen the NRL speak openly about diversity and the importance of female participation from the grassroots, to the field, to the boardroom. The NRL upped its commitment to White Ribbon Day in 2015. In 2014, the NRL had fewer than ten people march on White Ribbon Day. In 2015, over 60 representatives from the NRL (including Todd Greenburg, Suzanne Young and current and former players) marched to send a message that violence against women is unacceptable.

The Parramatta Eels were also applauded as they unveiled their Domestic Violence Action Plan, in conjunction with the Northern Territory Government, and said ‘no more’ to incidents of domestic violence.



The NRL and the teams that represent our society mean so much to the people that support them. With this support comes tremendous power and it is the NRL’s responsibility to take positive action.

I hope that throughout this year we continue to see the NRL lead the way when it comes to social issues, whether that be homophobia or violence against women.

Congratulations to Paul Langmack, who has been the driving force behind this float. Supported by Dave Trodden and Raelene Castle, this float should encourage other sporting codes to recognise the importance of this issue and support participation in sport, irrespective of sexual orientation.

I want everyone to know that my game is a game that welcomes everyone. Whether you are a man or a woman. Whether you come from Australia or from abroad. Whether you are gay or straight. There is a place in rugby league for everyone. We are an inclusive sport and must continue to work together to ensure our sport is seen this way.

As the float makes its way down Oxford Street, hopefully to raucous applause, hooting, hollering and plenty of glitter and colour, my hope is that this movement continues to grow, and that next year the NRL float will be joined by one from the AFL, ARU and Cricket Australia, all celebrating the inclusive nature of sport in Australia.