About The Awards
Established in 2007, the NRL Community Awards have become the most significant opportunity for our game's unsung heroes such as volunteer, coaches, community club administrators, referees, teachers and young people in our game to receive the recognition they deserve for the tireless work they do in the community.
The Awards also provide an opportunity for the rugby league community to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution that our elite NRL and NRLW players make in their communities off the field, and showcase how they use their platform to give back and enrich the lives of the people around them. The elite Categories of the Community Awards include:
- Ken Stephen Medal – Man of the Year
- Veronica White Medal – Woman of the Year
2023 Community Awards
Nominations for the Grassroots categories are open to the public and are received from our State Leagues, NRL Clubs, and NRL Game Development staff. Over the years, the Awards have evolved with different categories showcased. Recently, the NRL has consistently showcased 6 Grassroots categories including:
- Volunteer of the Year
- Teacher of the Year
- Young Person of the Year
- Indigenous Community Award
- Women in League Award
- Community Club of the Year
Each year, the NRL dedicate and ensure the winning individual is presented the award in front of their community, surrounded by those who know and appreciate their efforts to the game of rugby league.
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
