LEAGUEWISE
WELFARE AND EDUCATION
PROUDLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RLPA | MOL | STATE CUPS | 16 NRL CLUBS
NRL WELFARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM | LEAGUEWISE
WELFARE AND EDUCATION PATHWAY
THE GOAL
NRL LEAGUEWISE SPANS EVERY STAGE OF THE ELITE
PATHWAY, DELIVERING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
TO OVER 400O PLAYERS AND APPROXIMATELY
2000 STAFF TO HELP THEM TO BECOME
CAREERWISE, CHARACTERWISE AND HEALTHWISE.
06
PREPARE
05
ENGAGE
04
STRENGTHEN
03
INDUCT
02
EXPOSE
01
SUPPORT
300+
PLAYERS
RETIRED NRL PLAYERS
100
PLAYERS
NRL TRANSITION
AGE: 28+
350
PLAYERS
NRL PROFESSIONAL
AGE: 20+
500
PLAYERS
STATE CUPS
AGE: 20+
550
PLAYERS
NATIONAL YOUTH COMPETITION
AGE: u20s
ELITE JUNIOR PLAYER
AGE: u15s - u18s
®
2500
PLAYERS
NEW ZEALAND
RUGBY LEAGUE
LEAGUEWISE
is being
CAREERWISE,
CHARACTERWISE
and HEALTHWISE.
OF OUR WELFARE AND
EDUCATION PROGRAM IS TO
TURN TALENTED BOYS INTO
MEN OF CHARACTER AND
INTEGRITY; MEN WHO ARE
BETTER FOR HAVING BEEN
PART OF RUGBY LEAGUE.
Every element of the program is designed to
help our young players grow and develop their
potential in every aspect of their lives.
We want them to be proud of the game they
love and play. Balanced in their approach to life,
knowing that well-rounded men develop the
muscle between their ears as much as any other.
We want them to be either in training for the
vocation they dream of, or actually working in
their desired career.
We want them to be good teammates, in their
footy team certainly, but also in any team they
find themselves in – at work, or at home or
in the community.
We want them to be both self-aware and
self-confident, able to respect themselves
and everyone else.
And we want to help them become wise
and ethical decision makers.
In short, what we want for the young men who
enter our program is what any good parent,
guardian or teacher wants for the young people
in their charge.
NEIL WHITTAKER
NRL-RLPA Welfare and Education Committee Chairperson
100 games for the Balmain Tigers
Former Director and Chairman of Balmain Tigers
ARL and NRL CEO 1997–1999
UTS University Medal
Current Senior Executive, Coal Mining Sector
JASON NIGHTINGALE
DRAGONS
B.BUSINESS
NRL WELFARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM | LEAGUEWISE
CAREERWISE
The CAREERWISE program has been designed to enhance performance, to help our
athletes play a better game on the field and in every area of life, including work,
school and further education.
Every Club has a qualified Career Coach whose job it is to
deliver the CAREERWISE program and help players plan for
life after sport.
Players who have already experienced CAREERWISE
are unstinting in their praise for the help
it has given them.
The program is delivered to all ages, from elite juniors
(U16s and U18s), State Cup, National Youth Competition
(NYC) and NRL players.
The best athletes have a balanced
approach to their football
and their life.
Award winning and based on best practice in career
development, the program is there as support through
every age and stage. It will help players make well-informed
choices about their future career. It will also help pave the
way for the future by helping players engage in work,
study, work experience, volunteer work and networking
that will help them make a smooth transition from
professional athlete to professional
something-else.
“IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT I
STARTED PLANNING FOR LIFE
BEYOND RUGBY LEAGUE, AND
NRL CAREERWISE HELPED ME
DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN AND A MORE POSITIVE
ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE
NEXT STAGE OF MY LIFE.”
ON THE FIELD
2007 DEBUT
2008-2015 NEW ZEALAND
2012 NRL ALL STARS
OFF THE FIELD
CURRENTLY STUDYING: BACHELOR OF BUSINESS
NRL APPRENTICE MENTOR
2014 NRL ACADEMIC TEAM OF THE YEAR
2013 DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS
2013 CERT III & IV FITNESS
JASON KING
Former Sea Eagles Captain
14 years and over 240 NRL games
Represented NSW City and NSW Origin
B.Business & Law Graduate 2015
NRL WELFARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM | LEAGUEWISE
ATHLETE-SCHOLAR BEN CREAGH SUCCESSFULLY
BALANCED HIS DRAGONS CAPTAINCY WITH
COMPLETION OF A DEGREE IN COMMERCE.
SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Playwise
NO WORK, NO STUDY, NO PLAY
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Graduates of League
The Playwise program assists players to maximise
their potential on and off the field by strengthening the
foundation skills needed to successfully navigate league,
learning and life.
The NRL has been so serious about the importance of a
balanced approach to sport, study and work amongst their
players that they instituted this policy for the National Youth
Competition back in 2008.
Playwise has been developed to the Australian Core Skills
Framework standard. It is updated every year and uses
workplace materials provided by NRL Clubs. Players are
assessed on their language, literacy and numeracy via
actual training timetables and schedules, coach tips sheets
and playing statistics. Development programs to build
skills are based on materials commonly encountered in
the real, everyday life of a professional NRL player, such
as employment forms, contracts, codes of conduct, match
statistics, travel documents and coach communications.
It works by mandating that all players in the NYC program
must work and/or study for at least 24 hours per week to be
eligible to play. This has made sure our players are not left
behind by their peers, either on the field, in the classroom
or at work. To allow this to happen Clubs are not allowed
to schedule compulsory training between the hours of
8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
In 2011, the NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year was
created to honour the work players are doing to prepare
themselves for life after football and promote the game’s
commitment to providing further education and workplace
training for players.
The NRL Graduates of League is a higher education support
program providing mentoring, peer tuition and financial
support to NRL, NYC, NSWRL and QRL players.
The program is designed to help players who enrol in higher
education to complete their courses. As a result, pass
rates have increased to as high as 96% at several partner
universities and Clubs.
In 2015 the program is supporting over 230 players across
18 university campuses in Australia and New Zealand,
studying a wide range of degrees including Commerce,
Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Law and
Education.
Trade Up with NRL
Since mid 2013, over 360 players on the elite pathway have
engaged in an apprenticeship or traineeship and 94% have
remained in or completed their trade qualification. This
is largely due to the support of the Trade Up with the NRL
mentoring program.
Current and retired NRL players with a trade qualification
have been engaged and trained as mentors across all NRL
Clubs. They use their own successful experiences to help
younger players follow in their footsteps. Powerful role
models, these mentors help build technical and generic
skills that will help young players both on and off the field.
These include leadership, communication, goal setting
and time management.
Our Mentors are passionate about the valuable contribution
that they make, and have undertaken a minimum standard of
qualification to enable them to provide professional support
to Club Welfare Managers and Career Coaches. These
qualifications include a Certificate IV in Career Development
and a Mental Health First Aid certificate as a minimum.
This program gives players confidence that they will be
able to make the most of the information that is shared with
them to improve their performance and it gives coaches
assurance that their important messages are being clearly
understood.
Career Transition Program
Every NRL player aged 28 and over has the support of
their Club Career Coach as well as a specialist career
transition coach.
This individualised service has seen the number of senior
players actively engaged in career planning grow from
28% in 2011 to 81% in 2015.
Career transition support continues into retirement, in
partnership with the Men of League, where senior players
can keep enjoying one-on-one coaching and career
development assistance.
Retired players who participated in this program say it
helped them to feel more confident about moving to the
next phase of their career.
It also helps instil an understanding that work and
perseverance bring their own reward by helping to
build a person’s character.
EDUCATION GRANTS
To further encourage the engagement in education
and career development the Clubs, NRL and RLPA are
contributing over 2.5 million dollars in education grants to
all NRL, State Cup and NYC players. This funding can be used
for any type of education: from a forklift licence to a postgraduate degree.
WELFARE AND EDUCATION AMBASSADORS
Given the broad range of programs and opportunities
available to our players, the NRL also encourages Clubs to
appoint up to three Education and Welfare Ambassadors
to help guide both the Club and the players. Each Club can
choose their ambassadors from the ranks of both current
and past players.
The Ambassador’s role is to help the Clubs deliver the
CAREERWISE programs to as broad a spectrum of players
as possible. They act as experienced and respected elders,
available to led a helping hand or a sympathetic ear
whenever they are needed.
JAI ARROW IS A HARD WORKING AND HIGH ACHIEVING
JUNIOR KANGAROO, BRONCOS NYC PLAYER, AND 3RD
YEAR APPRENTICE PLUMBER WITH ALL TRADES QLD.
The criteria for selection is:
1 Consistent NRL playing performances.
2 Commitment and progress in an educational program
that is preparing them for a post-footy career.
3 A positive influence on the other players within their Club.
The awards have grown to include:
• Apprentice of the Year
• Trade Up Mentor of the Year
• Pasifika Academic Excellence
The award winners are selected by the NRL-RLPA Welfare
and Education Committee in consultation with NRL and Club
Welfare and Education staff.
GREG INGLIS
RABBITOHS
CULTURAL WARRIOR
NRL WELFARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM | LEAGUEWISE
CHARACTERWISE
The CHARACTERWISE program has been designed to turn talented boys into men
of integrity and character; men who are good teammates, respectful of themselves
and others; and wise and ethical decision-makers.
We want all our players, whatever their age or stage of
playing career, to be great ambassadors for their Club
and for their sport. We want the public and fans to know
that they can rely on the players they admire to live up
to high standards of behaviour, maturity and integrity.
We want our players to be men of character, and we
are prepared to do everything we can to help them
become great role-models and leaders.
Our CHARACTERWISE programs are developed in
partnership with expert advisory groups and are
co-delivered by current and former players
who have been trained as NRL Education
Ambassadors and volunteer their time
to this important work.
ON THE FIELD
2005 NRL DEBUT
2006-2015 AUSTRALIA
2006-2015 QLD ORIGIN
2012-2013, 2015
INDIGENOUS ALL STARS
OFF THE FIELD
BUSINESS OWNER OF “GI GEAR”
NRL INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP GROUP
SOUTHS CARES AMBASSADOR
2009 DIPLOMA OF YOUTH WORK
“RUGBY LEAGUE EMBRACES
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION,
CELEBRATING A RICH MIX
OF CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS
AND BELIEFS. A STRONG
CONNECTION TO CULTURE
SETS UP STRONG
FOUNDATIONS FOR
OUR PLAYERS.”
NIGEL VAGANA
NRL Welfare and Education Manager
SAM TAGATAESE, SAMOAN WARRIOR, TOOK
PART IN THE NRL NIU WARRIOR EXHIBITION
AND IS AN ACTIVE CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR
CULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
These programs include education ambassadors at every
Club, player advisory groups and cultural empowerment and
leadership camps. Their aim is to provide existing leaders
with the opportunity and the skills to drive positive, ongoing
change throughout the game. We also aim to strengthen
every player’s leadership skills and their ability to implement
this positive change. The programs help us to identify and
work with cultural challenges around player education and
welfare. And, as they grow and learn, we want our players
to realise how leadership skills can translate to every other
area of their life: personal, community and career.
The leadership programs help all our players understand,
respect and celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches
Rugby League. We hope that our young players will go on to
lead positive change, not only in the game we all love and in
their own lives, but also in society as a whole.
Rugby League reflects society and the nation as a whole
and how it changes. As a result, we have created a Pasifika
Players Advisory Group in addition to an Indigenous Players
Advisory Group. Both groups are active participants in
planning and implementing programs for players across the
game.
Over the last few years, the NRL has held Cultural Leadership
camps for Indigenous players run by Dean Widders, for
Pasifika players run by Nigel Vagana and for country
players run by Andrew Ryan. The camps are designed to
help players strengthen their connection with their roots
and understand the power of embracing their past. Like all
elite sports, NRL players face many challenges including
relocation, homesickness, expectations, peer pressures and
fear of failure. The camps aim to build resilience, confidence
and stronger leadership skills to help players deal with
playing sport at an elite level.
Moreover, the NRL continues to seek out opportunities to
raise awareness of key issues in society – such as mental
health and respectful relationships - with our players and
across the game in general.
COUNTRY TO CITY CAMP
It can be a culture shock for a country kid coming to live
and work in the big city. That’s why 24 aspiring players from
regional NSW travel to Sydney for our Country to City Camp.
The participants get exposure to what it means to be an NRL
player by visiting various NRL Clubs and getting a chance
to mix with current and former players. They also get an
opportunity to learn about city life, including simple things
like catching the train and getting around the city, something
that can be daunting at first. During their three days they will
also receive talks on social media, leadership, relocation,
careers and decision-making.
EACH YEAR 240 NYC RECRUITS ACROSS THE
GAME ATTEND A ROOKIE INDUCTION CAMP
TO LEARN HOW TO BE LEAGUEWISE.
ROOKIE CAMP
This camp is compulsory for every player in the National
Youth Competition. It is a three-day camp and introduces
the young players to the NRL values. These are Excellence,
Inclusiveness, Courage and Teamwork.
The camp includes extensive training in media, cultural
awareness, drugs and alcohol, social media, money
management, social responsibility, respectful relationships
and personal presentation.
Each session is delivered by experts and co-facilitated by
a current or former NRL player so they can share their
experiences and model the behaviour and character that is
expected of modern Rugby League players.
SEMI PRO DAY
One of the new programs developed in the NSWRL is the
Semi-Pro Day. This one-day seminar is designed to give an
insight into what life is like off the field for semi professional
rugby league players.
Interactive workshops aim to educate NSW Cup players on
a range of education and welfare issues and give specific
advice about furthering a player’s education, trade and
career. The Day puts a particular emphasis on helping
players find and maintain a healthy balance between their
lives, their on-going work prospects and life as a rugby
league player.
Former NRL stars including Brad Morrin, Adam Woolnough
and Jamie Feeney were just some of the speakers at the
2015 Semi-Pro day.
HIGH SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Commencing in 2013, high schools participating in the elite
Rugby League schools’ competition have been provided in a
range of education modules for their senior players. These
modules include: Career Education, Personal Brand, Cultural
Awareness Anti-Doping Education and Addressing Violence
in Our Community.
NRL Clubs are prominent in the delivery of these modules to
high schools in their area. For students aged 15 to 18, wellreceived parent information sessions provide details about
the range of NRL Welfare and Education programs available
and helpful information and tips about the pathway to the
NYC competition.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMS
Alcohol Management
The NRL’s alcohol management strategy was developed
with the help of the Australian Drug Foundation. It ensures
a whole of game approach to responsible drinking, from the
grassroots Clubs through to the NRL. The NRL has become
the first professional sporting organisation to receive the
GOOD SPORTS accreditation in Australia.
Respectful Relationships
The NRL’s Respectful Relationships program is recognised
as the most progressive in sport in Australia. It is based
around making decisions using an ethical framework model.
This is not limited to relationships with women, but includes
people of different race, religion, sexuality or colour. The
program is based on research and is regularly evaluated by
independent experts.
Illicit Drugs Education
All players and officials from all representative teams, from
the U15s up, take part in drug education workshops. The aim
of the program is to give young men – and staff – the tools
they need to avoid the temptation to indulge in either illicit
or performance enhancing substances.
Better Choices Program
“Better Choices” teaches teenagers how to make better
decisions in real life situations to avoid serious and lifelong
legal consequences. It addresses alcohol misuse, illicit
drugs, violence, social media and cyber-bullying.
The program includes five modules that are delivered to
Junior Rugby League Clubs and youth competitions across
Australia by trained NRL facilitators and Ambassadors.
NRL Aware
NRL Aware is an online education program developed by
the NRL Welfare and Education team in collaboration with
the Australian Drug Foundation educates players and staff
on issues around; alcohol, other drugs, gambling, social
media and respectful relationships.
“WE WORK HARD TO EDUCATE
YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT
THE ETHICAL AND LEGAL
CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR
ACTIONS, WHICH MAY
CHANGE THEIR LIVES
FOREVER.”
PAUL HEPTONSTALL
Senior NRL Welfare and
Education Manager
DENE HALATAU
WESTS TIGERS
FAMILY MAN
NRL WELFARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM | LEAGUEWISE
HEALTHWISE
The HEALTHWISE program takes a wholistic approach to wellbeing by promoting social,
spiritual, psychological and financial health and by providing ongoing support in these
areas into retirement from professional Rugby league.
The NRL is very aware of the responsibility it takes on for
the health and wellbeing of all its players and this goes for
every facet of their lives. It can be a challenging experience
to leave home at a young age, or simply to face the
responsibilities of playing the sport you love at a high level.
Success can bring its own difficulties and opportunities
and failure is both a real possibility and something many
people find hard to deal with. We do not leave our players,
at whatever their stage in the game, to handle the very real
stresses and strains of elite competition on their own.
RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
The RLPA is a member led organisation that champions the
rights, welfare and working conditions of the NRL players.
They partner with the NRL, the NRL Clubs and the Men of
League in developing the LEAGUEWISE program. The RLPA
also provide their members with access to independent legal
and financial advice, as well as support regarding playing
contracts and employment rights.
RETIRING PLAYERS AND MEN OF LEAGUE
Every Club has at least one Welfare and Education Manager
who looks after the wellbeing of the players in their charge.
Each manager has a Mental Health First Aid Certificate
and a Certificate IV in Youth Work or Career Development
as a minimum qualification combined with several years
experience in working with talented young athletes.
For every player there comes the time to leave the playing
field. This transition often brings with it a new set of
challenges. The NRL in collaboration with the Men of League
continues to maintain a relationship with past players
throughout their lives and provides ongoing services to
support them.
WELLBEING PROGRAM
The NRL Alumni program co-ordinated by the Men of League
oversees and co-ordinates the support given to NRL players
as they transition out of the game and into new careers.
This includes ongoing career coaching and access to
educational, emotional, mental health, financial and welfare
assistance.
Our Wellbeing program aims to proactively assist our people
to create ongoing meaning, happiness and wellbeing in all
facets of their lives. These include; psychological wellbeing,
spiritual connections, family, cultural and social engagement
as well as financial and vocational sustainability.
Enhancing wellbeing helps to build resilience. It assists our
people to better manage the pressures and challenges that
may present on and off the playing field.
Developed in consultation with industry experts and utilising
proven tools, this program is introduced by trained and
qualified Welfare and Education Managers across the NRL,
Clubs and State Leagues.
All NRL players are encouraged to join the Men of League
Foundation (menofleague.com) once they retire. This
national organisation is there to support ex-players
through the retirement period from the game and beyond.
It encourages continued contact with old team mates and
many retired players go on to play an important part in the
great work done by the Foundation.
Once you are part of the NRL, you will never walk alone.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
ON THE FIELD
2003 NRL DEBUT
2004-2009 NEW ZEALAND
OFF THE FIELD
CURRENTLY STUDYING DIPLOMA
OF BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
2015 MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID CERTIFICATE
2012 DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS
NRL APPRENTICE MENTOR
NRL STATE OF MIND AMBASSADOR
The NRL offers a free, confidential and highly credentialed
counselling service available to all players, staff and their
families from all NYC, State League and NRL teams.
Culturally specific counsellors are also available when
needed, free of charge.
The NRL works with mental health organisations such as
Black Dog Institute, Headspace, Lifeline and LeVa Pacific
Mental Health for specialist referrals and guidance in
developing related education and support programs.
60
PLAYERS (ON AVERAGE) RETIRE
FROM THE NRL EVERY YEAR
LEAGUEWISE
The NRL engages with expert advisors and organisations to develop and
deliver the LEAGUEWISE initiatives, ensuring that our players enjoy the
highest quality of programs and services.
PARTNERSHIPS
MORE INFORMATION
Social Responsibility
For more information on all programs please contact:
Australian Drug Foundation, NSW State Government,
Australian Federal Police.
NRL Welfare & Education
T +61 2 9359 8500
E [email protected]
www.nrl.com/leaguewise
Mental Health
Black Dog Institute, Davidson Trahaire Corpsych,
LeVa Pacific Mental Health, Lifeline, Headspace,
Kids Helpline.
Cultural Engagement
Rugby League Players Association (RLPA)
T +61 2 8736 1100
E [email protected]
www.rlpa.com.au
Career Development
Counselling Service
Services are available to NRL, State Cup and NYC players,
staff and immediate families.
Max Coaching, Career Development Association of Australia.
Australia:
Australian National University.
Higher Education
Elite Athlete Friendly Universities.
Apprenticeships
Department of Education.
Graduates of League Universities
AUT, ACU, UOW, UoC, ANU, UoN, ACPE, UWS, UTS, USYD,
UNSW, MQ, GU, QUT and JCU.
Respectful Relationships
Macquarie University, Rape & Domestic Violence Services
Australia, Pride in Diversity, Australian Human Rights
Commission, White Ribbon.
Davidson Trahaire Corpsych
T 1300 360 364
E [email protected]
www.davcorp.com.au
New Zealand:
LeVa Pacific Mental Health
T: +64 9 261 3490
E: [email protected]
www.leva.co.nz
NRL Alumni
Retired players’ contact:
Michael Buettner
NRL Alumni Manager
Men of League
[email protected]
+61 410 648 667
www.menofleague.com
PROUDLY IN
PARTNERSHIP
WITH
NEW ZEALAND
RUGBY LEAGUE
®