‘The NRL just didn’t have a good reputation’: How rugby league learned the importance of Indigenous representation

Rugby league today is a source of deep and abiding pride among Australia’s Indigenous community, but it was not always the case — almost the opposite. 

“It was seen as a sport that took our talented young men out of communities, when communities were crying out for leaders.” said Gamilaroi man Mark deWeerd, reflecting on the game during NAIDOC Week 2021.

“That perception was something that stuck with me quite early.”

DeWeerd became the NRL’s general manager of Indigenous strategy in 2011 after spending 18 years with the federal government managing Indigenous education and employment programs.

He was the NRL’s first Indigenous staff member since its inception in 1998. Previously, the only First Nations people working in the game were the late Steve “Bear” Hall and Ricky Walford, who had paid roles with NSW Rugby League.

“So, I knew we needed to work really quickly on, firstly changing attitudes of people in the game so they could understand the community’s concerns, and more importantly begin building a new relationship between the NRL and its communities.”

He began by urging for the employment of more Indigenous staff at the NRL.

“If you want to really bring about change in this space, you need to have Indigenous perspectives in all areas of the business,” he said.

Former Parramatta and South Sydney player Dean Widders started shortly after in a wellbeing role, providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

“There were a number of negative stories circulating in the media and it was quite well known that a lot of our players when they finished in the game, they walked away with nothing, because they just didn’t have that guidance and support while they were playing,” deWeerd said.

“Dean was brought on to change that and provided support on a daily basis.

“He was there to build some cultural safety around our players, to make sure that they received the support they needed when they finished in the game, and that they had goals and aspirations to do something with their lives – whether that was studying, starting a business, or giving back to the community.

“That was critical in starting to change attitudes in communities, as well as they saw their boys being supported and them being encouraged to go back with a skill set that was meaningful to other people or roles in their communities.”

Within Widders’ first year, he developed and hosted an Indigenous leadership camp, which would later become an annual gathering for NRL players.

“After coming back from playing in England I remember being blown away by, of the 12 stories that had made the front page of the newspaper, 10 of them were [about] Indigenous players,” Widders said.

“And when you make the front page, it is all around negative issues and negative behaviour.

“We had to look at that and go, ‘well, how do we correct it?’.

“So, we organised and run a camp where we connected back to culture and had a number of guests come in and have meaningful discussions with the players, so they understood the opportunities they have today that haven’t always been available to our people.”

Guests included Professor Gary Foley, who discussed the tent embassy; Professor Tom Calma AO, who spoke about the lives of Indigenous bureaucrats and the battle for land rights; and Professor Larissa Behrendt AO, who discussed Indigenous history.

Following the second year of the camp, an Indigenous Players Advisory Group was formed — a voice among the game’s administrators for Indigenous players to discuss concerns or issues that impacted them.

Other things started to change. The Indigenous Round, introduced in 2010 as “Close the Gap round” to highlight health inequality in Indigenous communities, expanded its brief in 2014. 

“Which was highlighting key social issues, showcasing the innate talent of our Indigenous players, and bringing awareness to and educating people about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.

“We couldn’t do that under Close the Gap. It was a really important moment for us to make that change.” 

Some initiatives reached beyond the game. The School to Work program launched in 2012, encouraging Indigenous youth in year 11 and 12 to finish school and support their transition into further studies or employment.

More than 3000 young Indigenous kids have now gone through that program.

DeWeerd and his team also helped reshape the NRL’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), ensuring it was not “a tokenistic document” but one that was “meaningful and could hold everyone in the business to account”.

Meanwhile, Indigenous commissioners Professor Chris Sarra and Professor Megan Davis provided First Nations voices at an executive level.

“As a team, we’ve been able to turn things around a little bit and make sure that there are structures, processes and programs in place that make a huge contribution to our players and to our communities more broadly,” deWeerd said.

“It’s definitely been a long process and sometimes a slow and frustrating process. But, when it comes to Aboriginal affairs, sometimes you have to take your time and make sure that everyone comes on the journey with you.