NRL stars hit the road to take rugby league to the regions

From Wagga Wagga to Warwick, Central Queensland to Christchurch, NRL players and ambassadors are once again hitting the road in 2024 for the 'Your Local Club' Road to Regions program.

As part of the NRL’s commitment to the heartlands of rugby league, the annual Road to Regions tour will reach far and wide throughout February and March, with a host of past and current players visiting 13 locations across Australia and New Zealand.

Kicking off on February 6 on the Sunshine Coast and moving to Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, NSW coast and New Zealand from February 13-16, the program provides a unique opportunity to give back to communities and fans from towns that aren’t frequently visited, while also providing support to communities who have been affected by recent natural disasters. 

In week three (February 20-22), the road train heads to Warwick, Tenterfield and Goondiwindi in Central Queensland as well as Ipswich, Forster, Port Macquarie, Taree and the Tablelands region of Queensland.

“We are thrilled to see the Your Local Club NRL Road to Regions program kick off for another year, with players and former stars set to embark on a series of visits to schools and grassroots sporting clubs in regional and remote communities right across the state,” said Clubs NSW Chairman Dr George Peponis OAM.

“The relationship between local clubs and the NRL is a very natural one, and Clubs NSW — under the Your Local Club banner — is so proud to be the presenting partner of the Road to Regions program for the fourth year in a row.

"This initiative brings joy and excitement to communities that rarely have the opportunity to engage with NRL clubs or players."

Warriors stars Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and NRLW heroes Emma Tonegato, Jaime Chapman and Shannon Mato are among the players jumping on board deliver the 2024 key message ‘Simply Your Best’. 

This year's theme aims to lead and inspire school students and aspiring NRL stars to be the best they can be, by providing pathways and opportunities to live positive, respectful and healthy lives.

During the interactive, ball-in-hand workshop, students will learn to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, use strategies to manage difficult or challenging situations and act in safe ways.

“Road to Regions is a terrific way for the game, our players and ambassadors to say thank you to local communities for their support of rugby league and showcase the amazing reach our sport has,” NRL Executive General Manager of Strategy and Transformation Andrew Every said.

“In 2024, we aim to ensure rugby league continues to play a major part to connect communities right across Australia and to bring people together and enrich their lives through the NRL’s community programs and engagements.

“Thanks to the generous support of Your Local Club we can continue to reach communities across Australia, from Port Macquarie in NSW, Sunshine Coast, Northern Territory, Western Australia and the South Island of New Zealand.”

To learn more about the Road to Regions program visit nrl.com/roadtoregions.