The NRL continues to expand social impact programs across the Pacific in another sign of the power of rugby league to facilitate positive change.
The organisation is marking more than a decade of community engagement in the Pacific to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6.
The impact has been felt throughout Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga with programs delivering education, leadership development, community safety and participation opportunities.
Social impact programs include the Voice Against Violence, League for Life and gender equality initiatives.
Collectively, these long-standing programs and partnerships reinforce the NRL's commitment to building safer, stronger and more connected Pacific communities.
After more than 10 years of continuous delivery, rugby league remains a powerful platform for education, inclusion, talent development and long-lasting social impact.
Voice Against Violence
The Voice Against Violence program has become a key pillar of the NRL's work across the Pacific and uses the language of rugby league to shine a spotlight on gender-based violence.
The program challenges the causes of gender-based violence, promotes respectful relationships and equips participants with practical tools to build safer and more inclusive environments.
Close engagement with educators, community leaders and local rugby league clubs ensures cultural alignment and sustained impact.
The Voice Against Violence program reaches more than 3000 participants each year through schools, clubs and community groups and is one of the NRL's most influential community platforms.
League for Life
Through curriculum aligned lessons centred on rugby league, students develop key life skills including teamwork, leadership, resilience, respect and healthy lifestyle habits.
After more than 10 years of activity, demand for League for Life continues to grow. The program reaches nearly 25,000 students each year, demonstrating its ongoing value to schools, teachers and youth development agencies across the Pacific.
Gender Equality and Inclusion Across the Pacific
Gender equality and inclusion are at the heart of all of the NRL's programs across the Pacific. Locally-led programs have been shaped by the voices and leadership of Pacific communities.
Local staff have been trained as Equal Access Advocates, ensuring that every workshop, competition and community engagement is delivered through an inclusive, culturally grounded lens. All supported competitions feature dedicated girls’ divisions, guaranteeing equitable participation pathways from grassroots to high performance environments.
Through the NRL's partnership with DFAT under the Pacific AusSport program, the organisation has continued to champion opportunities for women and girls.
The RISE Development Programs in Fiji and PNG created high performance pathways for emerging female players, with selected athletes travelling to Australia to attend the National Women’s Combine and showcase their talent to NRLW recruitment staff.
The combine marked an important milestone demonstrating the growing depth and visibility of women’s rugby league talent in the region.
