Sport & Physical Activity Community & Social Justice 2023
National Rugby League (NRL Community)

NRL Community Social Impact Report 2023

The National Rugby League's NRL Community Social Impact Report 2023 documents the social impact of programmes across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Key highlights include over AUD $14.85 million in social value created across four marquee programmes with a combined SROI of 1:4.7, 1,165 First Nations students in the School to Work programme, 5,437 participants in Voice Against Violence across five nations, 4,500 State of Mind mental health workshop participants, and 29,000 people reached through Road to Regions across 12 regional and remote locations.

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📋About

School to Work Program: Year 11 and 12 First Nations students supported towards HSC completion and employment/education transition; funded by Australian Federal Government and 11 NRL clubs; 520 one-to-one mentoring sessions, 91% of Year 12 students completed Year 12; SROI 1:4.7. Voice Against Violence (VAV): domestic and gender-based violence prevention across Australia and Pacific (Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea); cultural context delivery to rugby league teams, clubs and communities; new 2023 partnership with Relationships Australia Canberra Region; Melbourne Storm Club partnership for Victoria delivery; SROI 1:5.4 Pacific, 1:4.7 Australia. State of Mind: mental health and wellbeing programs in partnership with Headspace, Kids Helpline, Black Dog Institute and Lifeline; three programmes — GRASSROOTS workshop (18+), Get in the GAAME (13-17 years, high schools), League Stars INSPIRE (5-12 years, primary schools); ninth year of programme, 477 community rugby league clubs and 161 schools reached cumulatively; SROI 1:4.2. In League In Harmony: social cohesion programme addressing racism, gender inequality, bullying, social disengagement; six school-based sessions culminating in Gala Day; SROI 1:5.3. Road to Regions: former and current NRL and NRLW stars visiting regional and remote Australia and New Zealand; 29,000 participants across 12 regional locations, 140 schools, 30 community rugby league clubs; educational programs at schools, visits to junior clubs, meet and greet opportunities, coaching and refereeing updates. NRL Community Awards (presented by Westpac): Ken Stephen Medal (Man of the Year — Latrell Mitchell, South Sydney Rabbitohs); Veronica White Medal (Woman of the Year — Tahlulah Tillett, North Queensland Cowboys); NRL and NRLW Community Teams of the Year with $1,000 grants each to donate to community clubs. League Stars INSPIRE: 52 health and wellbeing workshops, 6 inclusion and diversity workshops, 6 respect workshops, 26 primary schools

📊Key Metrics

Total social value created for participants and the community was over AUD $14.85 million across four marquee programs in 2023; SROI ratio of 1:4.7 — for every $1 invested, an average of $4.70 was generated in social return; 708 schools and junior rugby league clubs received community programs; 49,300 participants attended community programs Key Metric 1
School to Work: 1,165 Indigenous participants, 302 successful education and employment opportunities, 330 Year 12 graduates, 95% completion rate, 135 schools; Voice Against Violence: 5,437 participants (3,279 Pacific, 2,158 Australia), 131 workshops across Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea; Road to Regions: 29,000 participants, 140 schools, 12 regional locations Key Metric 2
State of Mind (mental health): 4,500 participants, 70 workshops; 1:4.2 SROI; In League In Harmony: 863 participants, 56 schools, 70 programs, 169 Youth Advocates, 94% said programme helped them feel confident to be a leader of harmony and inclusion; VAV: 97% now have better understanding of domestic violence prevalence; 94% understand community responsibility for preventing gender-based violence Key Metric 3

✅Key Outcomes

  • 95% completion rate for Year 11 and 12 Indigenous students in School to Work; 97% of VAV participants have better understanding of domestic violence prevalence; 94% of In League In Harmony participants feel confident to be leaders of harmony and inclusion; total SROI of 1:4.7 across four marquee programmes
  • SROI methodology developed in partnership with Social Ventures Australia (SVA); VAV expanded to new partnership with Relationships Australia Canberra Region in 2023; Melbourne Storm Club entered partnership with VAV; Road to Regions reached 12 regional and remote locations across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, WA and New Zealand; NRL Community programmes focus on 30% most deprived communities
  • NRL is a professional sport governing body (not a charity); programmes reach Australia, New Zealand and four Pacific nations; key programme partners: Headspace, Kids Helpline, Black Dog Institute, Lifeline (State of Mind); UNICEF; Relationships Australia; Accor (School to Work employer partner); Westpac (Community Awards sponsor); Australian Federal Government (School to Work funder)

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