The NRL has become the first major football code to flag it’s support for an Indigenous voice to parliament.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, the NRL says it’s been a supporter of the model since the Uluru statement from the heart in 2017, and is now formally “committed to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.”
The league says First Nations communities have a deep connection with the game being part of it’s “fabric at all levels.”
The football code highlighted the fact they have their own independent Indigenous voice through the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council, which they say plays an integral role in representing the ideas and views of First Nations Peoples.
The league says it’s all part of it’s commitment to moving forward.
“True change comes through listening, learning and taking action – and we encourage everyone in the Rugby League community to get informed by the facts, and use their voice, so that we can move forward together.”
Tennis Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee have already shown support for the proposed advisory body.
The other major sporting codes run by Rugby, Football Australia, Netball Australia and Cricket Australia are yet to formally confirm their voice stances.
Although last week, the AFL sent a memo to its member clubs asking them for their position as it considers its own stance.