The Australian Rugby League Commission is one of three finalists for the prestigious international Beyond Sport Federation/Governing Body of the Year Award in recognition of the game’s life-changing education and health programs, its commitment to helping Indigenous communities and for providing a national stage for practical reconciliation.
Beyond Sport is a global organisation that promotes, develops and supports the use of sport to create positive social change across the world.
The other finalists for the Beyond Sport Awards Federation/Governing Body of the Year Award are the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada (CGC) and Premiership Rugby (UK).
“Rugby League has a deep connection with the community and this award nomination highlights the amazing work that is taking place across all levels of the game,” said ARL Commission Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop.
“From One Community through to NRL and grass-roots clubs, Rugby League is proud to be making a positive difference to people’s lives.”
The projects featured in the ARL Commission’s award nomination include:
Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars: Recognised as one of this country’s most powerful examples of practical reconciliation, the match between the NRL All Stars and Indigenous All Stars generates $1.6 million for community projects across the game, with a focus on assisting Indigenous communities.
Learn Earn Legend! This program encourages Indigenous youth to stay at school (Learn), get a job (Earn) and be a legend for themselves, their family and their community (Legend). More than 11,000 Indigenous youth have benefited from Learn Earn Legend! initiatives, including School to Work programs, the State of Origin Jobs Experience, All Stars Youth Summit and numerous NRL club-based programs.
Rugby League Reads: This uses Rugby League as a vehicle to engage students in reading by providing free Rugby League-orientated educational resources for students and teachers in schools and role modelling male sport stars as readers.
OneSight-One Community: Promoting the belief that clear vision is a basic right, not a luxury, this program targets Indigenous students in communities with restricted access to basic eye care services. Through the program 622 students have been screened to date and it will assist a further 1200 students by the end of 2012. Students who attend the screening are then rotated through Rugby League skills clinics with One Community Ambassadors who deliver positive messages about eye care and general health.
Tackling Violence Program: This program aims to educate boys and men to reduce the incidence of violence against women and to inspire them to be role models in their communities.
The winner will be announced at the Beyond Sport Summit 2012 in London from July 23-25.
For more details about Rugby League’s community programs, log on to www.rloc.com.au
For more details about Beyond Sport, log on to www.beyondsport.org
