NRL Community Rugby League Club Of The Year /

As part of the NRL Community Awards presented by Westpac, the NRL Community Rugby League Club of the Year award will be presented to a Rugby League Club that has enhanced participation and enjoyment of Rugby League within their club.

The club is recognised as an integral part of their community going above and beyond to make a positive impact in their community through Rugby League.

2024 NRL Community Rugby League Club of the Year - Bowen Seagulls Rugby League

Queensland’s Bowen Seagulls Rugby League club is a true example of a community-focused Rugby League club, which makes player and community focused decisions.

Recognising that registration fees for Rugby League limited opportunities for interested players, Bowen Seagulls Rugby League club drastically slashed registration fees in a bid to give interested players an opportunity to play the greatest game of all. Over five years, this approach ensured that registration numbers have grown from 100 to 450 registered participants in 2024.

Growing in registration numbers ensured the club had to upgrade facilities. A large grandstand, equipment storage shed and upgraded amenities were funded, organised and built to meet the growing needs of the club.

The value of inclusivity underpins all the decisions at Bowen Seagulls Rugby League. The club aims to welcome and support people of all ages, backgrounds, gender and ability. Junior and senior teams have been established and a Girls Teams Meet and Greet event made female players feel welcomed to the club. Indigenous players represent half the registrations at the club.

Promoting player, volunteer and community mental health is a club priority. In order to grow awareness of mental health in the club, a Blue Tree Project began. All club members were invited to help paint a deceased tree, blue. The painting of the tree symbolised it getting a ‘blue lease on life’. The message that it is ‘ok not to be ok’ is emphasised at the club.

Bowen Seagulls Rugby League club is a place of growth – registrations, volunteers, club members, facilities and mental health awareness have all grown under the careful guidance of the club.