BREAKING NEWS: NRL rules out hosting a Pride Round during 2023 season as officials avoid another big row after seven Manly stars refused to play last year
The NRL has opted not to feature a Pride Round for the 2023 season after announcing the same themed rounds as the previous campaign.
Speculation surrounding the first Pride Round was rife last November when ARL Commission head Peter V’landys kept mum on the issue in the 2023 draw.
However, ABC reports that the NRL has stuck to the same themed rounds as in 2022, and the Pride Round issue remains a difficult one for the league.
Last year, seven Manly players boycotted the club’s rainbow jersey designed for the Women’s round of the League.
Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has urged the NRL to introduce a league-wide Pride Round in the wake of the saga, amid reports that other NRL clubs could field a rainbow jersey this year.
The NRL has since considered hosting a Respect Round, which would advocate for the acceptance of everyone’s views.
“We are dealing with themed rounds as we go through the season. We don’t expect to make any changes,” V’landys said.
“Our focus right now is on the multicultural round, and you’ll see how the other rounds play out as we progress through the season.”
The thematic rounds for the 2023 season will be: Multicultural, Indigenous, Women’s, Anzac and Brain Cancer.
