Rugby League

 Rugby League began in the north of England in 1895 when a section of Rugby Union Players split from the traditional game over the desire to progress to a professional league. In the years since the split some minor yet significant rule changes occurred, namely surrounding the function of the scrum, play of the ball, tackle counts and the number of players on the field. 

 

Now, more than a century later, Rugby League stands as Australia's most popular form of the sport and has the highest television viewership numbers of all Australian sports. Recently, participation in the sport has reached record numbers with two hundred thousand players registering for the 2024 season, representing a decade of steady growth. Today the game has grown exponentially, with the international arena seeing far greater participation particularly in the Pacific Islands. The game has developed beyond Australia and England, particularly through fixtures such as the World Cup which is set to see Australia host 26 countries in the competition.  

 

As of 2022, NRL viewership was over 137 million with viewership figures rising every year, showing the growing community surrounding the sport. The record-high viewership figures lend themselves to the state of the product, with recent rule changes such as the six again rule and reductions in the number of scrums designed to speed up the game and increase the excitement for viewers. The pace at which the game is played today provides a spectacle that few other sports can provide while increasing the unpredictability of the fixture.  

 

Rugby League connects Australians through far more than the entertainment it provides the viewers. The NRL uses its influence to advocate for community outreach programs, Indigenous education programs as well as campaigns against domestic violence. In recent times, high-profile Indigenous players such as Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker have taken part in helping their communities in remote towns such as Moree. The players made several visits to country towns to show the communities they care and to give back for the support they have received.

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If all this talk about Rugby League has got you excited, here at The NRL Playbook, you can expect to find updates about player movements, match reviews, and my takes on all the action. Whether you’re a newcomer to the sport or a die-hard like myself, The NRL Playbook has something for every fan.