NRL’s In League In Harmony program celebrated

In League In Harmony participants united as one at Harmony Day Festivals held in Queensland and Victoria.

The NRL's Harmony Day Festival in NSW was postponed until next week due to wet weather but Queensland and Victoria, for the first time, got the opportunity to celebrate the program to mark the end of its first term.

Both festivals, which were part of the game's inclusion month, invited all members and NRL community partners to join our In League In Harmony for a harmony walk, performances by diverse multicultural groups and a shared BBQ lunch.

The program's participants and other attendees got the chance to have some fun as well and in non-competitive touch football and wheelchair rugby league.

A minute's silence was held to acknowledge lives lost in last week's Christchurch tragedy.

NRL's Head of Government and Community Relations, Jaymes Boland-Rudder said the game had a social responsibility to foster cohesion within the NRL and wider community.

"Rugby League is a game that unites communities and inspires positive social change," Boland-Rudder said.

"In the wake of the tragic attacks in Christchurch and recent debate that has ensued, there's nothing more important than standing up for our beliefs as a game and a broader community - we are united and inclusive of everyone regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

"We are very proud of the NRL In League In Harmony program which focuses on developing respect for oneself and for others, as well as promoting social responsibility as a means to encourage greater cohesion within our communities.

"The NRL Harmony Day Festivals are a great opportunity for the NRL to stand alongside our young leaders and the wider community to celebrate cultural diversity and the values we share.

"The Victorian, New South Wales and Australian Governments are terrific supporters of the NRL In League In Harmony program delivered and without their support our Harmony Festivals and programs would not be possible."

As part of the NRL's commitment to providing a safe environment for all participants - free from discrimination - a handbook has been developed for clubs and associations in conjunction with Sport Australian and Play by the Rules.

The handbook will be launched on Harmony Day and provide clubs and associations with a range of short, medium and long-term actions. A survey will also be made available for participating clubs to track their progress.