They are role models for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike which is why those behind a campaign to instigate significant constitutional reform are so delighted to be a key partner of NRL Indigenous Round this weekend.
The 40-metre line at every ground this weekend will feature the RECOGNISE logo as a way to raise awareness of the campaign to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian constitution.
The logo was also featured prominently on the jerseys of both All Stars teams in February and campaign members from RECOGNISE will be present at Suncorp Stadium, Brookvale Oval, Hunter Stadium, Remondis Stadium and AAMI Park encouraging NRL fans to join the more than 276,000 Australians who have already signed up.
The NRL has included its support of the RECOGNISE campaign as part of its Reconciliation Action Plan and RECOGNISE'S coordinator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement Charlee-Sue Frail said Indigenous Round represents a significant moment of their campaign.
"One of the really great things with a number of codes, especially the NRL, is that they have actually approached us for a partnership," Ms Frail told NRL.com.
"We know that the NRL are really committed to the community and their players given that over 20 per cent of their representative squad are Indigenous.
"It was a natural fit between RECOGNISE and the NRL given how strong their presence is both within the community, how strong their reach is with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people so it was just a brilliant partnership to see them come out in support of the campaign.
"The NRL have been really committed to ensuring there's enough awareness out there at the moment and what they're really committed to is displaying the RECOGNISE logo wherever they can and bringing us into the conversation."
Through their association with this year's All Stars game Frail said that a broad cross-section of the community became aware of the RECOGNISE campaign and expects a similar influx on the back of Indigenous Round.
"We're reaching members of the community that we otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to reach and that is evident by what is going to happen in Indigenous Round this weekend," she said.
"There was a really strong awareness that came out of the All Stars game and we're looking forward to seeing what happens this time around through the Indigenous Round.
"People have a lot of respect for players and their clubs and it's really important that the likes of Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston have a strong voice, they have a strong presence through the media and through their clubs.
"We're just trying to create as much awareness as possible so people can have these conversations and it's really important that the clubs and the players are aware of these changes and they have a huge reach into their communities."
To learn more about the RECOGNISE campaign visit recognise.org.au
