The NRL have announced that the game's In League In Harmony program will be delivered in Victoria from 2018, thanks to the support of the Victorian Government.
The announcement coincides with the ongoing series of Harmony events, tournaments and festival taking place in Sydney and Melbourne, together with the recent NRL Victoria Harmony Festival at Casey Fields.
The event attracted hundreds of participants and celebrated rugby league's cultural diversity.
The NRL's In League In Harmony program has been running throughout New South Wales since 2012, with thousands of school-aged participants taking part in the seven-week education program.
The program includes lessons and themes on social inclusion and cohesion, teamwork, diversity and self-value, and is practical and education based.
NRL Head of Government and Community Relations, Jaymes Boland-Rudder said the partnership would enable the inclusiveness and power of rugby league to engage with many more multicultural communities.
"We've seen tremendous success with this program bringing people together to support one another and leave positive and lasting legacies," Mr Boland-Rudder said.
"With rugby league continuing to broaden its appeal in Victoria, it's fantastic to have a platform to reach more youth and not only introduce them to our game, but importantly, to impart life-long positive messages and opportunities for themselves and those around them.
"Through the support of the Victorian Government and Centre for Multicultural Youth, we will be able to deliver our In League In Harmony program to culturally diverse communities across greater Melbourne."
For more information on the NRL's In League In Harmony program, visit: nrl.com/forchange
Harmony events and tournaments continue across Sydney and Melbourne through November, with over 60 teams across 14 nations and four regions participating.
For more information on the current Harmony events and matches taking place, visit: playnrl.com/harmony
