In League In Harmony /

What is In League In Harmony?

With a focus on respect, responsibility and inclusiveness, the NRL's In League In Harmony (ILIH) program aims to promote social cohesion by addressing issues such as social disengagement, racism, gender inequality and bullying; empowering youth to be agents of change for a more cohesive society.

Involvement in Rugby League provides opportunities for the youth to develop social skills in addition to the fundamental playing elements. By being a part of the program, our participants are empowered to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate the diversity among their peers and the wider community. The program unites the youth to explore how their similarities and differences provide opportunities for them to move forward together in harmony.

This is achieved through theory-based and practical activities which have been designed around the NRL’s four core beliefs. Through these experiences, the participants will have a greater capacity to positively contribute to a more socially-cohesive society.

The program is delivered over a period of six school-based sessions which culminate in a celebratory Gala Day. The In League In Harmony program's delivery method is a non-formal educational approach. It is achieved by using Rugby League as the vehicle to educate key competencies of individuals and groups in order to contribute to personal development and sustainable social change.

Program Structure

School Activity #1

Coaches Talk (45mins – 1 hour) - A series (six sessions) of social cohesion theme-based activities conducted by our education officers, our Community Program Deliverers and current NRL players. Each student is provided with an activity handbook.

School Activity #2

Training session (60 mins) - A Rugby League skills sessions tailored for both those new to the game and the experienced. We see movement as an educational tool that not only teaches the students the fundamental skills of Rugby League, but also promotes key messages such as positive communication, teamwork, courage and preparation.

Important to note that there is no tackling in the program, we employ modified League Tag and NRL Touch Football.

School Activity #3

Gala Day - The celebratory In League In Harmony Gala Day is conducted in the seventh week of the program at a central location for all schools involved for that school term, to celebrate their newly-acquired  knowledge and skills from the past six sessions. 

Presentations - Students are presented with participation awards for showcasing positive attitudes and leadership qualities throughout the six sessions in their schools.

Contact

For expressions of interest and/or further information contact the NRL Respect team: respect@nrl.com.au 

Latest News

Follow the links below to find out what the NRL's In League In Harmony program has been up to:

• This World Refugee Day, rugby league is helping play a part to welcome newly-arrived migrants into Australia
• The NRL hosted it's sixth annual Harmony Day Festival at Ringrose Park in Wentworthville, NSW
• In League In Harmony continues to grow with the launch of the program in Victoria
• The NRL's harmony message reaches the Gold Coast
• Thanks to support from the Victorian Government, the game's In League In Harmony program will be delivered in Victoria from 2018
• The story of the In League In Harmony program is told through the eyes of Obed Karwhin, a refugee from Sierra Leone 
• Intensive English Centre students and newly-arrived migrants have completed the NRL's In League in Harmony program
• Former and current players joined more than 300 students to celebrate the NRL's fifth Harmony Day Festival in Western Sydney

To learn more about the NRL's inclusion and anti-discrimination and vilification frameworks and programs, visit: nrl.com/community/inclusion