'Want your kids to be happy': Cleary's vision for future League Stars

Nathan Cleary can see a window into his future as he stands on the field watching kids play rugby league all around him.

One day, he hopes, his own kids will be running around the sports fields of Sydney playing rugby league.

Whether they reach the NRL or just play club footy with their mates isn't important to Cleary. The Panthers star simply hopes his future children can share in the benefits of rugby league.

It’s a vision that has come into clearer view with the Kangaroos halfback becoming a champion for League Stars, an NRL program that forms the introduction to rugby league for thousands of youngsters around the country.

Having experienced the benefits of junior rugby league first hand, Cleary hopes not just his kids, but every child in Australia and beyond has the opportunity to play the sport.

"I'm proud to have this opportunity to give back to the community of rugby league," Cleary told NRL.com. "The sport has given me so much so to be able to give back and promote participation at a younger level means a lot to me. 

"Rugby league is the best sport ever. I've still got friends that have come through playing rugby league as a kid and it has that community feel. There's a lot of great people involved in rugby league. It's not only a connecting sport, it's a lot of fun as well."

League Stars is the NRL's Junior Participation Program. It is a non-contact introductory rugby league program for primary school-aged children. This program is delivered in primary schools through ball-in-hand or in-classroom activities, before and after school or school holidays.

League Stars provides children with basic rugby league skills in a fun and friendly environment and is suitable for all abilities. they also learn the importance of teamwork, make new friends and stay active through running, passing, catching and kicking.

The benefits for participants extend beyond the rugby league field as school students develop fundamental skills and build confidence in a supportive environment. In the classroom, students learn the importance of staying active and making healthy habits, through League Stars curriculum aligned resources. 

Having travelled a more circuitous route to the NRL, Cleary would have loved the opportunity to participate in such a program as a kid.

The NSW and Australian halfback spent the early years of his life in New Zealand while his dad was playing and coaching for the Warriors. 

He dipped his toe in a range of sports before committing to rugby league as a 13-year-old once his family moved back to Sydney. 

From there, Cleary steadily rose the ranks inside Penrith's junior representative pathways and eventually developed into a four-time premiership winner. The halfback learnt plenty of life lessons along the way and remains friends with many of his junior rugby league teammates. 

Despite being one of the biggest names in the game, Cleary has been careful to keep his personal life private.

That has started to shift in recent years as his relationship with Matildas star Mary Fowler progresses and the halfback has grown more comfortable sharing his vision for life after football.

Eventually he hopes the couple have children and he's standing on the sidelines watching them play sport. 

"It's definitely a lifelong goal of ours to have kids," Cleary said. "It will have to be at the right time so we'll see what happens.

"Hopefully they'll play rugby league one day. It's the same for all parents, you just want your kids to be happy and enjoying themselves. My experience through rugby league has been super enjoyable and I'm sure it's the same for most kids."

Cleary has never been the biggest person on a rugby league field and embraced the non-contact formats of the game while growing up. 

That is a major appeal of the League Stars program, while participation rates for League Tag and touch football have also surged in recent years. 

Touch football has become a crucial stepping stone in the women’s game, with many of the game’s biggest stars playing touch before transitioning to tackle.

Cleary views these formats as a great way for children to receive a taste of the sport before their bodies start to develop and they feel comfortable playing tackle rugby league. 

"Touch and tag are really important," Cleary said. "That was something that I played first when I moved over to Australia, I played tag. You get these different opportunities to still be involve in rugby league in different forms. 

"I was such a fan of rugby league and loved watching on TV. Growing up if there was more tag I definitely would have played that at a younger age so programs like League Stars are such a great introduction to rugby league."

Cleary has enjoyed a stunning start to the 2026 season, with the Panthers winning their first five games of the year. 

The impressive performances come after Penrith's 2025 campaign ended with a heartbreaking preliminary final defeat to Brisbane.

The loss ended a four-year premiership reign and lit the fire for the 2026 season as they look to reclaim their place at the top of the NRL.

"Watching the grand final was a different experience," Cleary said. "It's made everyone hunger but every team is hungry. The premiership is back on the table and it's there for anyone to win. 

"You've got to work hard, we've been making an emphasis on that and hopefully we'll put ourselves in a position to go for it."

What is League Stars?

League Stars is the NRL’s introductory participation program for children aged 5-12, designed to help every child build confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy their first experiences with Rugby League – no matter their experience level.

Through fun, game-based activities, kids will:

⭐ Learn the basic skills of Rugby League

⭐ Develop fundamental movement skills

⭐ Build confidence in a supportive environment

⭐ Stay active through practising running, catching, passing and kicking

⭐ Learn the importance of teamwork and making friends!

By the end of the program, kids will be buzzing with confidence, skills, and excitement – ready to stay active and continue their Rugby League journey.

League Stars is a fun and friendly way to get involved in rugby league. For more information head to playrugbyleague.com/league-stars